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 waned, the use of broody Nankin hens to incubate game bird eggs may have kept the breed from disappearing altogether.
[9] Interest in Nankins in North America largely sprung out of attention from the American Bantam Association in the 1960s.
[9][7] In 2002 the total number for the breed was estimated at 50–100 birds;[6] the conservation status of the Nankin was listed by the FAO as "critical" in 2007.
As with some other bantam breeds, broody Nankin hens were traditionally used to incubate the eggs of game birds such as pheasant, quail and partridge.