Nankin (chicken)
Encyclopedia
The Nankin is a bantam
breed of chicken
. One of the true bantams, the breed is a naturally small fowl with no large counterpart from which it was miniaturized. Males weigh an average of 24 ounces (680 grams), and hens an average of 22 ounces (625 grams).
type; the single comb Nankin has a large comb with five points, and the rose comb has a medium size one ending in a single spike. All Nankins come in a single color, with buff
on the body and black tails. The golden hue is deeper and more lustrous in males, and they have the longer sickle
feathers common in roosters. Their beaks are a light horn color, and legs are slate blue.
Nankins are very friendly in disposition. Though they retain the ability to fly because of their small bodies and relatively large, downward-slanted wings, they tend to be less active and flighty than other bantams overall. They do well in confinement, and tend not to wander much when allowed to free range
. Due to their small size and more prominent comb and wattles (especially in the single comb variety), they are not cold hardy chickens, and require insulated shelter in northern regions. The breed matures slowly, and makes a poor meat producer. Their eggs are very small and a creamy white color. Nankin hens are remarkably good mothers, and often go broody.
. Though they first became widespread in the West only in the 18th century, there is evidence for their presence in England going back to the 16th century. They may have been imported from the Chinese
city of Nanjing
(or Nanking), thus resulting in their name. As a bantam long present in the U.K. especially, the Nankin contributed to the formation of many other bantams more common today, such as the Sebright
.
The number of Nankins declined in the West after the mid 19th century, along with the importation of newer and more exotic Asian breeds. Though their popularity with poultry fanciers may have waned, they were still often raised by game bird farmers to incubate
the eggs of such species as pheasants, quail
and partridge
s, a use that may have kept the breed from disappearing altogether.
Interest in Nankins in North America largely sprung out of attention from the American Bantam Association in the 1960s. Today, Nankins are still only recognized by the American Bantam Association, and are not accepted in to the American Poultry Association's
Standard of Perfection. A U.S. breed club was formed for the first time in 2006. They are classified as critically endangered by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
.
Bantam (chicken)
A bantam is a small variety of poultry, especially chickens. Etymologically, the name bantam is derived from the city of Bantam - currently known as "Banten Province" or previously "Banten Residency" - once a major seaport, in Indonesia...
breed of chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
. One of the true bantams, the breed is a naturally small fowl with no large counterpart from which it was miniaturized. Males weigh an average of 24 ounces (680 grams), and hens an average of 22 ounces (625 grams).
Characteristics
The breed has two varieties, differentiated by combComb (anatomy)
Anatomically, a comb is a fleshy growth, caruncle, or crest on the top of the head of gallinaceous birds, most notably turkeys, pheasants, and domestic chickens...
type; the single comb Nankin has a large comb with five points, and the rose comb has a medium size one ending in a single spike. All Nankins come in a single color, with buff
Buff (colour)
Buff is a pale yellow-brown colour that got its name from the colour of buff leather.Displayed on the right is the colour buff.EtymologyAccording to the Oxford English Dictionary, buff as a descriptor of a colour was first used in the London Gazette of 1686, describing a uniform to be "A Red Coat...
on the body and black tails. The golden hue is deeper and more lustrous in males, and they have the longer sickle
Sickle
A sickle is a hand-held agricultural tool with a variously curved blade typically used for harvesting grain crops or cutting succulent forage chiefly for feeding livestock . Sickles have also been used as weapons, either in their original form or in various derivations.The diversity of sickles that...
feathers common in roosters. Their beaks are a light horn color, and legs are slate blue.
Nankins are very friendly in disposition. Though they retain the ability to fly because of their small bodies and relatively large, downward-slanted wings, they tend to be less active and flighty than other bantams overall. They do well in confinement, and tend not to wander much when allowed to free range
Free range
thumb|250px|Free-range chickens being fed outdoors.Free range is a term which outside of the United States denotes a method of farming husbandry where the animals are allowed to roam freely instead of being contained in any manner. In the United States, USDA regulations apply only to poultry and...
. Due to their small size and more prominent comb and wattles (especially in the single comb variety), they are not cold hardy chickens, and require insulated shelter in northern regions. The breed matures slowly, and makes a poor meat producer. Their eggs are very small and a creamy white color. Nankin hens are remarkably good mothers, and often go broody.
History
Nankins are thought to be one of the oldest true bantam breeds, originating somewhere in Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. Though they first became widespread in the West only in the 18th century, there is evidence for their presence in England going back to the 16th century. They may have been imported from the Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
city of Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
(or Nanking), thus resulting in their name. As a bantam long present in the U.K. especially, the Nankin contributed to the formation of many other bantams more common today, such as the Sebright
Sebright (chicken)
The Sebright is a breed of chicken named after its developer, Sir John Saunders Sebright. The Sebright is one of the oldest recorded British 'true' bantam , created in the 19th century through a selective breeding program designed to produce an ornamental breed...
.
The number of Nankins declined in the West after the mid 19th century, along with the importation of newer and more exotic Asian breeds. Though their popularity with poultry fanciers may have waned, they were still often raised by game bird farmers to incubate
Avian incubation
Incubation refers to the process by which certain oviparous animals hatch their eggs, and to the development of the embryo within the egg. The most vital factor of incubation is the constant temperature required for its development over a specific period. Especially in domestic fowl, the act of...
the eggs of such species as pheasants, quail
Quail
Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally considered in the order Galliformes. Old World quail are found in the family Phasianidae, while New World quail are found in the family Odontophoridae...
and partridge
Partridge
Partridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are a non-migratory Old World group.These are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East...
s, a use that may have kept the breed from disappearing altogether.
Interest in Nankins in North America largely sprung out of attention from the American Bantam Association in the 1960s. Today, Nankins are still only recognized by the American Bantam Association, and are not accepted in to the American Poultry Association's
American Poultry Association
The American Poultry Association is the oldest poultry organization in the North America. Founded in 1873, and incorporated in Indiana in 1932 The first American poultry show was held in 1849, and the APA was later formed in response to the burgeoning need for an overseeing body to set standards...
Standard of Perfection. A U.S. breed club was formed for the first time in 2006. They are classified as critically endangered by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting genetic diversity among rare breeds of livestock...
.
External links
- Nankins at feathersite