Nankin Bantams, Nankins, Nankin Bantam Chickens

Nankins are true bantams with no standard counterpart; they are one of the smallest of the recognized breeds of chicken at 24 oz for cocks; 22 oz for hens. Cockerel and Pullet weights are 22 and 20 oz respectively.

The Nankin's plumage color as described in the male is deep orange red from the head with lustrous orange red to medium chestnut red in the hackle and neck. The saddle is lustrous orange red with the rest of the body varying in shades of chestnut red - from brilliant to light. The Nankin tail is black with lustrous greenish black and has some medium chestnut lacing on the main tail feathers. The Nankin female is lighter colored being described as a light chestnut red. Legs in both male and female are bluish slate with a pink stripe on the outer side of the shank.

There are two varieties in the Nankin, the single comb and rose comb. The appearance of the Nankin is alert, active, and well balanced. The male Nankin face is smooth and full in front of large prominent eyes of reddish bay color. The beak is strong, medium length, nicely curved; horn in color with darker shading on the upper mandible. Wattles are moderately large, round and smooth and are bright red as are the ear lobes of more medium size smooth and oval.

The head and neck are both of medium length and the head is deep, round - carried high upon the slightly arched neck. Hackles are abundant and flowing over the back and shoulders. The back is of medium length and broad -sloping to the base of the tail which is well spread carried at about 50 degrees above horizontal and is medium in length. The main tail feathers are broad and do not extend beyond the sickles which are moderately curved. The coverts are broad and abundant.

The fairly large wings are tightly folded, concealing hocks. Shoulders and fronts are hidden under the hackle. Wing bows are well rounded and coverts are wide forming two bars very distinctly across the wings. Primary feathers are hidden by secondaries which are broad, overlapping when folded in the natural position. The body is medium in length, moderately deep and carried forward - the stern is full.

Legs are rather widely set, straight when viewed from front. The lower thighs are muscular, well developed, and taper neatly to the hocks. Shanks are medium length, round, smooth, evenly scaled. The four toes are straight and evenly spread.