Ancona Chicken Thread

[farmhand]

I seriously doubt you will find ANY chicken breed that can survive a dog attack.

You make it sound like I expect a chicken to stand up and put a dog in his place. It's more like looking for bird's that are alert enough and capable of getting out of harms way. I'm going to be looking into guinea's as suggested. Someone up the road a bit from me had a flock of these for many years some time ago.

About 30 years ago a good friend of mine tried to get me into the Emu business. I'm glad I didn't. He lost a lot of money.
Thanks

 

[tandykins]

I live in the country on a peach fruit farm and have several dozen chickens that I keep caged because in years past after 2 to 3 months of chickens running around, dogs come out of nowhere and help them self's to a chicken dinner or ten. I would like to build a coop just for free range chickens but need to find a breed that will survive a dog(s) attack but still want to return home and lay eggs. Is the Ancona this breed or does anyone have other ideas. I'm also looking at Norwegian Jaerhons to try.

Frankly - if you're having persistent problems with predators breaking through any barricades attacking your chickens, you may just not be able to have free range chickens.

 

[bruceha2000]

You make it sound like I expect a chicken to stand up and put a dog in his place. It's more like looking for bird's that are alert enough and capable of getting out of harms way. I'm going to be looking into guinea's as suggested. Someone up the road a bit from me had a flock of these for many years some time ago.

About 30 years ago a good friend of mine tried to get me into the Emu business. I'm glad I didn't. He lost a lot of money.
Thanks

Sorry, didn't mean to imply that. I'm sure some chickens are more alert to such things than others and I have read (quality of info not known) that chickens hatched free range (and that means NOT in a coop) and raised by their mothers outdoors are better at it than the "safe house at night" chicks from a hatchery.

I can't say that any of my 5 breeds are particularly alert, at least not that I can see. They wander around head down looking for stuff to eat. They do hang out under bushes, the deck or back in the barn where their coop is when they aren't foraging but I don't know if that is because it keeps them out of the mid day sun or if it is "predator precaution". Maybe some of both. But even if they are alert to danger, you would need a lot of "close to wherever they are" cover to duck into. I don't know what that would be with regard to an incoming dog on the run. Certainly not a bush or lean-to shelter.

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

I am patiently awaiting the arrival of 3 Ancona chicks. 2 pullets and 1 cockerel. I am so excited.

 

[gruffy]

I would add for free ranging they are good our hen doesn't like being cooped up she likes to run around. Our other birds just follow her around the yard. They are definitely the explorer type. But we do live in the city with 3 big dogs that keep everything out of our yard especially cats. Our dogs actually like the birds being around and never go after them but anything else is fair game. They've been around the birds enough they think they are part of the pack. We've had chickens free range our yard for about 12 years now.They have eaten a lot of dog food but we've noticed they got really sleek shiny feathers afterwards our birds are really plush and soft. Our dog food doesn't have chicken in it so I think for the most part its ok. And small puppy kibble is actually a whole lot cheaper than chicken scratch. We only add it to their food in winter when they don't get all the bugs and fruits.

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

I would add for free ranging they are good our hen doesn't like being cooped up she likes to run around. Our other birds just follow her around the yard. They are definitely the explorer type. But we do live in the city with 3 big dogs that keep everything out of our yard especially cats. Our dogs actually like the birds being around and never go after them but anything else is fair game. They've been around the birds enough they think they are part of the pack. We've had chickens free range our yard for about 12 years now.They have eaten a lot of dog food but we've noticed they got really sleek shiny feathers afterwards our birds are really plush and soft. Our dog food doesn't have chicken in it so I think for the most part its ok. And small puppy kibble is actually a whole lot cheaper than chicken scratch. We only add it to their food in winter when they don't get all the bugs and fruits.

I second on the alertness and supplementing with dog food. Anconas keep the others aware and they fly up into the trees. The dog feed also helps with protein when molting.

 

[tandykins]

:/ My Ancona pullets are now 30 weeks old and have still not laid their first egg. It's summer here so it's not the light or temps. I've checked them multiple times for parasites and have found none. They've been wormed. They're receiving free choice grit, have a balanced layer diet and have vitamins mixed in with their food. I'm at a loss! Suggestions?

 

[elizmartin]

Are they in a run or free range at all ???? they are great at hiding eggs if the are out,,,,is their coop very big vs how many other chickens…..sometimes if the food is erratic, or stress full or sometimes for no known reason….the eggs could be eaten, maybe need a bit more protein in their diet…..am sure you have oyster shell or other calcium source available.

These are just a few thoughts……maybe googling the internet will help You find other thoughts….

 

[tandykins]

Are they in a run or free range at all ???? they are great at hiding eggs if the are out,,,,is their coop very big vs how many other chickens…..sometimes if the food is erratic, or stress full or sometimes for no known reason….the eggs could be eaten, maybe need a bit more protein in their diet…..am sure you have oyster shell or other calcium source available.

These are just a few thoughts……maybe googling the internet will help You find other thoughts….

We have a 64 square foot coop that the chickens are only restricted to at night. Otherwise they have free range of half an acre during the day. In that 64 sq ft coop there area total of 14 chickens.

Food/water are checked daily, oyster shell is available and the chickens get either mealworms or scrambled egg daily (so I don't think it's protein).

I've been looking all over for egg caches. It would be fantastic if I found one of theirs. I've got a spot in my garage right now where a chicken who has just come out of a moult has decided to lay but they're obviously not laying there. :/ Silly birds.

I've got a smaller coop with an attached nesting box and run (easily large enough for my Ancona pullets). Perhaps I'll move them to that for a little while until I can be sure that they're definitely laying or not laying. :/

I've assumed up to this point that if they were laying I would have seen SOMEONE attempting to brood their cache of eggs - maybe I'm wrong.

 

[bruceha2000]

My Anconas started at about 21 weeks. Are their combs and wattles red? Do they squat?

Since you have 9 other hens (are they laying?) it does seem like the pullets would just follow their lead into the nest boxes but who knows the mind of a chicken? Keeping them in for a few days is a good idea. At least you will see if they lay.