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Ancona Chickens

Flock of Ancona Chickens

Breed In
Focus

Ancona Head

Ancona Chickens take their name from the eastern Italian City of Ancona. It is thought they first reached the shores of England in 1851. There are several views about the origins of the Ancona, some believing that it is very similar to the original Mottled Leghorn. In fact, it is no more than a variety of Leghorn; however, it remains a distinct breed and has its own characteristic type.

In this Breed In Focus, Grant puts a spotlight on the Ancona. With their remarkable comb and dashing looks, it’s surprising they aren’t more popular as a breed.

I think, in terms of sheer beauty, the Ancona is one of the most remarkable of poultry breeds. It derives, perhaps quite obviously from the Italian province of Ancona from where the original British versions were imported in 1851.

Although exported to America in 1888, further imports from both the US and Italy helped perfect the breed type and markings to today’s specimens.

Many believe Ancona chickens are related to the Leghorn, particularly the Black Mottled variety, as they are not too dissimilar in plumage and shape, hinting at a Mediterranean ancestry.

A Blue Mottled Ancona developed in Germany and Holland, and an autosexing chicken breed called the Ancobar was created from Ancona chickens by Professor Lamoureux in America in 1941 and later in the UK. Still, it has never been popular and is thought to be extinct in the UK.

General characteristics

What attracted me to the breed was the precise and detailed markings of the plumage. The white ‘V-shaped’ spangles at the end of each ‘beetle-green’ black feather make for a stunning pattern and Anconas are very hard to ignore in the show pen.

A well-turned-out Ancona is to be highly commended in the world of fancy poultry. Although the colour breeds true, its finely detailed standard, requiring each feather to be ‘tipped’ and proportional, make producing perfect specimens very difficult. A renowned Ancona breeder, David Speak said that you have to breed 10 in order to get 1 good one.

Breeding Pen of Large Ancona Chickens
A breeding pen of Large Fowl Ancona Chickens

Temperament

Ancona chickens rarely go broody and will forage and lay well. Their eggs are white and of a good size. They are quite a hardy breed but can be a little flighty. Perhaps contrary to what one would expect, the bantams are reported as being slightly calmer than the large fowl, but I feel it depends on the degree of handling as youngsters. It stands to reason that any chicken that’s been handled regularly will be tamer than one which hasn’t, in spite of the actual breed.

Comb types

The Ancona is one of the few breeds to have an option when it comes to comb types. The most popular is the single comb – similar to the Kellog’s Corn Flakes cockerel. The other option is a rose comb, and although in few hands, these specimens can still be seen at shows today. Many fanciers aren’t comfortable with this and feel that a breed should very strictly have only one form of comb. The Orpington Club have recently altered their standards to only allow the single comb, whereas until recent times, rose combed specimens were permissible on the show bench.

Breeding Hints

Of all the mottled breeds of poultry, the Ancona can proudly claim to be the most uniform and precise, especially in markings. They should not be regarded as a beginners breed, and it would be easy to lose the marking quality in only a few generations if we gave no thought to ‘selection.’

Some specimens are shown which lack mottling in the tail area, and these quite rightly are overlooked by the judges.

If you plan to obtain some Anconas for your garden, it would be best to locate an established breeder with the best quality stock.

Breeding Tip: Juvenile plumage

Plumage of juveniles changes after the first moult. The white tips to the feathers get larger, and there are more of them after each moult.

Ancona chickens breed profile

No. of Eggs
3.7/5
Easy to Keep?
3.5/5

Uses: Exhibition. Utility: eggs.
Egg colour: White.
Origin: Province of Ancona, Italy
Weight: Cock: 2.7 – 2.95Kg, Hen: 2.25 – 2.5Kg.
Bantam Cock: 570 – 680g, Hen: 510 – 620g.
Colour: Beetle Green ground tipped with white.
Useful to Know: A good layer that is an active forager. Like the Leghorn, the large comb can suffer from frostbite. Care is required to breed good specimens. Not a beginners breed.

Photo gallery

If you have any photos of Ancona chickens you would be willing to share, please contact us.

Books

The following books are available. Links take you to the Amazon or other sellers’ pages.

Breed clubs

These are the breed clubs for Anconas:

  • UK: The Ancona Club of Great Britain. Secretary: Philip Smedley  Tel: 01904 468387
  • UK: The Scottish Ancona Club. Secretary: Philip Smedley  Tel: 01904 468387
  • Australia: Ancona Club of Australia.

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