Ancona chicken generally raised for egg pupose. they lays 240 egg in a year by single hen. they black mottled White looks beautiful. originated in italy.
Ancona the name comes from the port city of Ancona Italy. The Ancona chicken is a Mediterranean class fowl. This breed firstly imported to England in 1851 after that exported to America in 1888. In Ancona, There is a glimpse of Leghorn. This breed is quite popular in the united states.
It is mainly raised for egg purpose. Generally, they lay a small size white color egg. Ancona is light in weight and can flight easily. It is said that Ancona is the cross result of local Italian bird and Leghorn.
It is commercially used on a large scale for egg production in the united states and the united kingdom. The average life span of the breed is 8 to 9 years. This breed is also available in bantam version.
Facts and Productivity of Ancona Chicken
| Name of Breed | Ancona |
| Other Name of Breed | No |
| Ancona chicken Origin | Ancona Italy |
| Development year | 1800 |
| Disposition | Calm, friendly and Docile |
| Variety |
Single comb Rose comb. |
| Main color | Black Mottled White |
| Purpose | Egg purpose |
| Cock weight | 2.5 kg to 2.7 kg (5.5 lbs to 6 lbs). |
| Cockrel weight | 2.2 kg (5lbs) |
| Hen weight | 1.8kg to 2 kg (4 lbs to 4.5 lbs). |
| Pullet weight | 1.8 kg (4 lbs) |
| Egg capacity per year | 220-240 eggs |
| Age at first Egg (days) | 140-150 |
| Egg weight | 50 g |
| Egg color | White |
| Egg size | Large |
| Skin color | Yellow |
| Shank color | Yellow |
| Survivability % upto 6 weeks | 98 |
Variety
Ancona variety is available in both single comb or in rose comb type. The first ever single comb accepted by American Poultry Association in 1898 and Rose comb accepted in 1914.
The shape and size are the same in both, except the comb type. The main plumage color is Black Mottled White. Rose comb ancona chicken looks prettier than Single comb.
Characteristics of Ancona chicken
They are prolific egg layer but light in weight. Generally, they are non-broody but the ability to find their own food is well. it performs well in free-range or in the back yard. They can flight one place to another. it is quite energetic.
They are a bit noisy. Ancona chicken temperament is docile and active. The breed very productive for layer farming.
They have beautiful glossy black plumage with a green sheen and white tipped feathers.
Appearance of Ancona chicken
it looks attractive and increases the beauty of the farm. One feather in five tipped with white spangle give them a perfect look. They have the quality to become a family pet.
The head is medium in size with black plumage. The beak is yellow and slightly curved.
Shanks and toes are clean feathered or yellow in color. Some birds hens and cock has yellow mottled with black shanks and toes.
Wattles are red, equal and large in size compared to other breed. ear lobes are white and half of the wattles
Tail is black well spread and inclined ended with white tip on feathers.
Ancona Chicken Egg Production
Production of the egg is quite good. generally, they lay 220 to 240 eggs per year per hen. And give maximum return to their flock owner by their eggs. Ancona starts laying eggs at the age of their 20th and lay up to 75th week. Ancona chicken egg color is white and they lay larger size eggs which weighs around 50g.
They need a quality feed at their Laying period. At their laying period feed should be balanced with protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals.
Meat production
Ancona chicken size is light in weight their meat is soft and fine in taste. They produce a fair amount of meat. the age of the slaughter of cockerel when they produce quality meat is 8 to 12 weeks.
The quality feed gives quality meat. the feed should be proper at their grower age.
The average standard weight of cock ranges between 2.5 kg to 2.7 kg (5.5 lbs to 6 lbs).
The average standard weight of Hen ranges between 1.8kg to 2 kg (4 lbs to 4.5 lbs).
Care, Management and health issues with Ancona Chicken
- House should be well ventilated for the fresh and cross-contamination of air. For the better growth of the chicken.
- For the better growth house should be clean, dry and disinfected every time.
- Marek’s disease and new castle disease are the highly contagious viral and bacterial disease so prior vaccination is essential for better immunity.
- Ancona is mainly raised for egg purpose so the battery cage system is good for a large flock.
- To save the feed from wastage, debeaking is needed in every two months.
Why choose Ancona?
Is Ancona Good for your Farm?
- It is a prolific egg layer
- Behavior is Docile, calm and friendly. Can be handled easily.
- Black mottled white looks beautiful in appearance. It can be used as a family pet.
- It can increase the beauty of your farm.
- Gives rapid return quickly from their eggs