Ancona (chicken)
Encyclopedia
The Ancona is a breed of chicken
originating in, and named after Ancona
, Italy
, but they have also been known in England
since the late 19th century.
It is noted for its ability to produce white or sometimes tinted eggs, which are sometimes small in size. It also can lay a blue tinted egg depending on its genes. It is considered an excellent layer, as it lays an average of five eggs a week.
Anconas can have either a rose or a single comb
, as either are accepted by the American Poultry Association
. This breed has four toes on each foot, no feathering on its legs, and does not possess a crest. Their combs are medium in size, and single comb Ancona females should have lopped combs. Standard males weigh around six pounds, while hens weigh around four and a half pounds. It also comes as a bantam.
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
originating in, and named after Ancona
Ancona
Ancona is a city and a seaport in the Marche region, in central Italy, with a population of 101,909 . Ancona is the capital of the province of Ancona and of the region....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, but they have also been known in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
since the late 19th century.
It is noted for its ability to produce white or sometimes tinted eggs, which are sometimes small in size. It also can lay a blue tinted egg depending on its genes. It is considered an excellent layer, as it lays an average of five eggs a week.
Characteristics
The Ancona's plumage is a mottled black with white speckles that tip the feathers. Its dark plumage makes it harder for predators to see, and often has a green or purple tint. It is a Mediterranean breed, which refers to its point of origin. Like other Mediterranean breeds, they are closely feathered.Anconas can have either a rose or a single comb
Comb (anatomy)
Anatomically, a comb is a fleshy growth, caruncle, or crest on the top of the head of gallinaceous birds, most notably turkeys, pheasants, and domestic chickens...
, as either are accepted by the American Poultry Association
American Poultry Association
The American Poultry Association is the oldest poultry organization in the North America. Founded in 1873, and incorporated in Indiana in 1932 The first American poultry show was held in 1849, and the APA was later formed in response to the burgeoning need for an overseeing body to set standards...
. This breed has four toes on each foot, no feathering on its legs, and does not possess a crest. Their combs are medium in size, and single comb Ancona females should have lopped combs. Standard males weigh around six pounds, while hens weigh around four and a half pounds. It also comes as a bantam.
Weight
| Cock | 2.7–3 kg |
| Hen | 22 .25 - 2.5 kg |
| Rooster | 570g - 680 g |
| Hen | 510g - 620 g |