Nankins are thought to be the first breed of true bantam to be seen in the British Isles. They are named after “Nankeen” cloth, which is a similar colour and was very popular in the mid 18th Century.  They are inexplicably very scarce which is strange as they are a British breed in a very attractive colour and they lay well for their size.  The eggs have a very high proportion of yolk.  The hens sit well and are good mothers.

They were thought to be extinct until a small flock was found and the breed re-distributed in the 1970s.

I have found our Nankins to be generally easy going, especially if they have been handled as chicks, and they can become very tame. I have some very tame spare cockerels available for sale for £12 each. Hatching eggs will be available from March 2026 at £1.50 each.