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<div>Because it exists only in very low numbers, the Nankin bantam
chicken is listed as a "critical" breed by The Livestock
Conservatory.</div>
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<div>But this chicken is critical for other important reasons,
including that it's small body gives it good tolerance for heat -- an
important consideration when the ferocity and frequency of heat waves
has been set to increase.</div>
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<div>Just as important, the The Livestock Conservatory reports that
Nankin hens are "<font face="Georgia"
color="#0E0E0E">Exceptionally good setters</font>." -- on their
own, they do the job of raising the next generation of young, with no
time and money needed for the technology of artificial
incubation.</div>
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<div>Being little, the Nankin has an advantage that could give it a
future in a changing world. Their willingness to incubate, hatch, and
raise their own young isn't a particularly common trait among domestic
chickens, and is an important advantage to small-flock owners
preferring to avoid the time and dollar costs of artificial
incubation.</div>
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<div>For more on a critical chicken:</div>
<div
>http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/nank<span
></span>in</div>
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