Ancona Chickens are a dual purpose breed that originated in Italy, it’s also believed that Anconas are a descendent from the Leghorn Chicken Breed, due to its exceptional egg-laying capabilities. In this article I’m going to cover the Top 5 things you should know about the Ancona before adding them to your flock!
Table of Contents
- Ancona Chicken Origin
- What Do Ancona Chickens Look Like?
- How Big Are Ancona Chicken Eggs?
- How Many Eggs Do Ancona Chickens Lay
- Ancona Chickens Temperament
Ancona Chicken Origin
Ancona chicken came from the lush landscapes of the Marches region in Italy. Ancona, the capital city of this region, gifted its name to this breed. In 1851, English chicken enthusiasts couldn’t resist and imported the breed to their homeland. They were especially interested in perfecting the white speckles on the black plumage of the Ancona.
In 1880, and a man named Cobb revealed his Ancona chickens and Americans were swept off their feet, they brought some birds over the Atlantic in 1888. Shortly after the single-comb Ancona waved its crest in triumph as the American Poultry Association recognized it as an official breed.
Although Ancona chickens have ancient roots and have frolicked around the Mediterranean for centuries, they’ve become increasingly rare in Italy. However there was a goal set out in the early 2000’s that aimed to make Anconas popular in their homeland once again and conserve their genetic diversity.
What Do Ancona Chickens Look Like?
Here is a detailed breakdown of what Ancona Chickens look like:
Appearance:
- Plumage: Ancona chickens have black feathers with a beetle green sheen. They also have precise and detailed markings of white “V-shaped” spangles at the end of each feather.
- Legs: Ancona chickens have clean, bright yellow legs, often with a few black mottles.
- Eyes: They have reddish bay/orange-red eyes.
- Beak: Ancona chickens have yellow beaks with black stripes on the upper mandibles.
- Skin: They have white or pale-yellow skin.
- Ear lobes: Ancona chickens have white ear lobes.
- Comb: Ancona chickens can have either single or rose combs.
Weight:
- Adult rooster: 2.5 to 2.8 kg (5.5 to 6.2 lb)
- Adult hen: 1.8 to 2.1 kg (4.0 to 4.6 lb)
Bantam Weight:
- Ancona bantam cockerels: 680-790g
- Ancona bantam hens: 510-620g
Color Variations:
- Black ground color mottled with white (v-shaped specks)
- Blue Mottled (not part of the standard breed)
- Red (not part of the standard breed)
How Big Are Ancona Chicken Eggs?
The Ancona’s eggs are white and weigh about 50 grams or 1.8 ounces. So, they’re medium to large in size, perfect for your breakfast omelet or Sunday baking!
How Many Eggs Do Ancona Chickens Lay
These ladies have absolutely no issues producing eggs, On average, they’ll lay anywhere from 180 to 280 eggs per year. They usually start around five months old, making this one of the earlier breeds of chicken to start producing. The cold doesn’t bother them either, this breed will lay all throughout the winter. Remember though, the number of eggs you will receive will vary depending on their diet, lifestyle, and whether they are feeling like producing.
Ancona Chicken Temperament
The Ancona is full of vigor, and pretty tough too. This breed is notones for sitting around – these Anconas are always on the go. They’re friendly, but don’t expect them to be your lap chicken. They’re not big on broodiness, and the wanderlust in them can make them a little flighty. They’re like the free spirits of the chicken world. They have large personalities, and they play well with other chickens. But with humans? They’re a bit aloof unless, of course, you’re offering treats or they sense a cuddle coming their way.