Ancona Chicken Thread

[bobbieschicks]

I have read that the Mediterranean breeds tend to peck at each other more, but I don't recall where I read it. As long as she's not drawing blood she may just be overly aggressive about keeping her pecking order position. If you are breeding or selling breeding eggs you may want to look into whether that is an inherited trait.

 

[bruceha2000]

Ah, the hot tempered Italian chicken!

Nope, no breeding. No roosters at our house. Guess I have to watch specifically how nasty she is. I wouldn't think she would need to exercise dominance over the EEs given how NON aggressive they are. Maybe it is the "pick on the biggest one and the rest will leave you alone" thing. Either of the EEs or the bigger Australorp could whip the Anconas' butts if they wanted to based on size alone.

Bruce

 

[Yellow House Farm]

"Mixed" flocks are all the rage, but they're not necessarily the right rage. Birds of a feather flock best together.

 

[bobbieschicks]

"Mixed" flocks are all the rage, but they're not necessarily the right rage.  Birds of a feather flock best together.

I've decided to choose one breed for going forward. Of course I'm having a tough time deciding which breed I like best.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Hmmm...do I sense a need for Anconas?

 

[elizmartin]

Needing Ancona's? How about Rosecomb Anconas.....smile.....I sure do like mine, thankyou very much....Mine from You ( Yellowhouse) are doing well, sadly this fall i did lose one of the 4 Roosters and have been wanting to contact You to see if You have another from that particular line or thoughts on breeding that line without him....

Regarding mixed flocks, i have a small mixed flock(eggs/pets) as well as my other breed groups (Rosecomb Anconas, Salmon Faverolles & Black Ameraucanas) and what i notice most is that types flock together even if they were brought in at different times from different sources. They seem happier that way....Kinda like having someone that speaks the same language???? Mine are mostly gentler breeds thou and the mixed flock is free range who sleeps in the barn, i think i don't have the pecking order thing with so much space for them to be them.
eliz

 

[buffalogal]

My experience with mixed flocks is that regardless of breed or variety, birds hatched and brooded together will get along as they mature. I have a little group I call the Three Graces: a wheaten Ameraucana, a Dominique and a Delaware (daughter's pet) that after 5 years still roost near each other every night. There are a few others hatched that occasionally join them, but that core group is pretty constant.

eliz, there's always a pecking order, though the interactions will be subtle and easy to miss when you have a few birds in a large area.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Needing Ancona's? How about Rosecomb Anconas.....smile.....I sure do like mine, thankyou very much....Mine from You ( Yellowhouse) are doing well, sadly this fall i did lose one of the 4 Roosters and have been wanting to contact You to see if You have another from that particular line or thoughts on breeding that line without him....

I'm glad you're happy with the Elizabeth. We've done well at the shows this year.

Don't worry for your male. Just use a different male, just not one from the same clan if at all possible. Keep track of the lines through the females. It'll work just fine.

 

[elizmartin]

I'm glad you're happy with the Elizabeth. We've done well at the shows this year.

Don't worry for your male. Just use a different male, just not one from the same clan if at all possible. Keep track of the lines through the females. It'll work just fine.

Glad You have done well at the shows......Yes, they are so lovely, Thanks for the direction....Their laying is going strong and will begin collecting for hatching soon......

e

 

[elizmartin]

My experience with mixed flocks is that regardless of breed or variety, birds hatched and brooded together will get along as they mature. I have a little group I call the Three Graces: a wheaten Ameraucana, a Dominique and a Delaware (daughter's pet) that after 5 years still roost near each other every night. There are a few others hatched that occasionally join them, but that core group is pretty constant.

eliz, there's always a pecking order, though the interactions will be subtle and easy to miss when you have a few birds in a large area.

You are so right, but am happy that they can get along so well in general....in the begining i had different breed choices and they didn't co mingle so well....Often when i am not collecting eggs for hatching i will let several pens open to free range at a time....