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Ancona chickens originated in Ancona, Italy, and are beautiful black birds with mottled white tipped feathers. They are good layers of white eggs and are very hardy, alert, and active. They make excellent free-range birds as they can fly to avoid predators, making them a favorite of chicken keepers around the world.
Is the Ancona chicken right for your flock?
- Hardy heritage breed that is heat and cold tolerant
- Flighty bird that is perfect for free ranging
- Ancona chickens continue laying eggs in the winter, unlike most other breeds
Table of Contents
Background and History
The Ancona chicken breed comes from Ancona, in the province of Marche on the Adriatic sea coast of Italy.
Chickens had been bred in Ancona for centuries and are believed to be closely related to early Leghorns mixed with other breeds. They are sometimes called a Black Leghorn or Mottled Leghorn, although their body shape differs from true leghorns, as does their temperament.
Anconas were first introduced into England between 1848 and 1850. A second introduction was made in 1883 and this time gained greater popularity.
Following their arrival in the United Kingdom, they underwent careful selection for their attractive mottled feather pattern and were crossed with Minorcas to produce heavier birds. Although the original fowl had a single comb, a rose comb variety appeared in 1910 at the Birmingham Show, England. At that time, they were one of the principal egg-laying breeds in Europe.
The English Anconas were imported into America in 1988 by Francis A. Mortimer, a resident of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Then by H.C. Sheppard from Berea, Ohio, imported more birds in 1906.
The popularity of the Ancona increased quickly, and they were appreciated for their active foraging and free-ranging abilities, as well as the abundant number of white eggs they could lay even in winter. Although similar to the Leghorn chicken in certain ways, the Ancona was a different shape and didn’t tolerate being caged or confined as it was a lot flightier than the Leghorns.
Today, surprisingly few Anconas can be found in Italy, but there is a renewed interest in the breed, and numbers are beginning to increase. They remain popular with homesteaders in the US but are currently on the Heritage breeds watch list due to some geographical distribution concerns.
It is estimated that there are under 5,000 breeding birds per year present in 10 or fewer primary breeding flocks within the US to be on the watch list. The global population is estimated to be less than 10,000 birds.
Temperament and Behavior
Ancona chickens are described as being relatively wild and “pheasant-like” as they fly easily. They are most at home in a large free-range environment, alert and avoiding predators by flying up into trees or onto buildings.
If handled frequently as baby chicks and continually hand-fed as they grow up, they may become friendly, but they will never be lap chickens, and most prefer to avoid human contact.
They are somewhat curious, and despite their flightiness, are relatively easygoing, not posing any problems with other chickens in the flock. They tend to be loners and don’t mix with a group, often choosing to eat and roost alone or among other Ancona’s they have been raised with.
Although they can be tamed, this is more the exception than the rule, so they don’t make the best pets. They aren’t recommended for children, as they are generally nervous and usually run away if you get too close. They are okay for beginners if you’re mainly looking for a hardy bird that is easy to care for and enjoys free-ranging. But don’t expect them to come and eat out of your hand. They can also be noisy at times.
Their ability to lay eggs in winter can be a bonus, but one problem with the Ancona hen is its tendency not to lay in the same nest boxes as the other hens. Often their eggs will be discovered weeks after they’ve been laid in obscure locations.
Ancona Breed Specifics and Traits
The Ancona is an egg-laying breed also popular in shows and exhibitions due to its attractively marked feathers. While they can be raised as a meat birds, it is not common and other breeds are better suited for the table.
Young birds mature quickly, in around 20 weeks. Once an adult, the Ancona hens weigh about 4.5 pounds, while roosters are closer to 6 pounds.
There is also an Ancona bantam which was first bred in the United Kingdom in the early 1900s by R. Tunstall. These birds were first exhibited in 1912. Bantam hens weigh 18 to 22 ounces, while roosters are 20 to 24 ounces. The American Poultry Association accepts both standard and bantam birds.
The first Anconas to be registered into the American breed standard in 1898 were a single comb variety; the rose comb was then accepted in 1914.
Anconas are not good sitters, and chicks will need to be hatched by a broody hen of another breed or in an incubator. They mature fast and can live for around eight years, but only maintain egg production for the first three years.
The Ancona chick hatches out with yellow and black down and feather up fast. As adults, their distinctive black plumage is tipped with mottled white. A show-quality bird has very even mottling, where one feather in five has a white end. It is usual, following each molt, for the amount and size of the mottling to increase as the bird matures.
In appearance, Anconas have clean, yellow legs and yellow skin. Some hens will have some black markings on the otherwise yellow leg. The eyes are reddish bay, and the ear lobes are white. They have a yellow beak with a black stripe on the upper mandible.
In size, they are the same as Leghorn chickens. However, their shape is different as their backs have a downward slant starting at the shoulder and running down to the tail with a slight angle where the two body sections meet. The tail is erect.
Both hens and roosters have the same black feathers with a beetle green sheen and mottled white tip. The hackles on the rooster are black. While the single comb on an Ancona rooster is quite large and erect, it is smaller and often flops to one side on a hen.
Being a Mediterranean breed, the Ancona is very heat tolerant. It is also capable of withstanding a reasonable degree of cold. However, the rose comb variety is better in icy climates due to the danger of a single comb getting frostbite. This can be avoided by ensuring the chicken coop is adequately ventilated to reduce moisture buildup.
Anconas are known to be good for predator resistance as they are very alert and will quickly take flight if threatened. Their dark mottled coloring is also beneficial for predator evasion from nighttime threats like the owl.
Although this flying ability may not be wanted in a smaller coop situation, in which Anconas don’t fare so well, it is highly advantageous for a free-range bird.
Health and Disease
There is a range of chicken diseases and health issues that can affect any breed. Although Anconas are not predisposed to any, in particular, the best way of avoiding them is to keep your chicken coop as hygienic as possible and to ensure it is well ventilated and insulated.
Access to plenty of fresh, clean water and good quality feed that is age-appropriate will ensure their nutritional requirements are met.
If you live in a location that suffers from cold winters, you will need to protect your bird’s comb and wattles from frostbite. The best way to do so is the ensure your chicken coop is properly ventilated to reduce moisture buildup.
Ancona Chicken Eggs
The Ancona pullet will lay 151 to 220 medium to large white eggs per year and was one of the most popular egg-providing breeds in Europe at the turn of the 20th Century.
Pullets typically start laying at around five months (21 weeks) of age and will continue to be productive for about three years. They will continue laying long after this, but the number of eggs produced will decline, as will frequency.
Where to Buy Ancona Chickens
Ancona chickens can be challenging to find since they are a somewhat rare breed. One of the easiest ways to find Ancona Chickens is to search for breeders and hatcheries on PoultryFinder.com.
Summary
This beautiful and lively Italian chicken breed is ideal for ranging on the homestead and providing a good supply of large or medium size eggs, even in winter.
The ability to fly well and mottled black and white feather pattern is a bonus for keeping the Ancona safe from various predators. They are also hardy and relatively inexpensive to keep if allowed to free-range, particularly in the warmer months.
If you’ve enjoyed learning about Ancona chickens, you may also like finding out about other backyard poultry on our website.
FAQ
Are Ancona chickens cold hardy?
Being a Mediterranean breed, the Ancona is very heat tolerant. It is also capable of withstanding a reasonable degree of cold. However, the rose comb variety is better in icy climates due to the danger of a single comb getting frostbite. This can be avoided by ensuring the chicken coop is adequately ventilated to reduce moisture buildup
Are Ancona chickens friendly?
If handled frequently as baby chicks and continually hand-fed as they grow up, they may become friendly, but they will never be lap chickens, and most prefer to avoid human contact.
What color eggs do Ancona chickens lay?
The Ancona pullet will lay 151 to 220 medium to large white eggs per year and was one of the most popular egg-providing breeds in Europe at the turn of the 20th Century.
What do Ancona chickens look like?
Both Ancona hens and roosters have the same black feathers with a beetle green sheen and mottled white tip. The hackles on the rooster are black. While the single comb on an Ancona rooster is quite large and erect, it is smaller and often flops to one side on a hen.
How big do Ancona chickens get?
Both hens and roosters have the same black feathers with a beetle green sheen and mottled white tip. The hackles on the rooster are black. While the single comb on an Ancona rooster is quite large and erect, it is smaller and often flops to one side on a hen.