Ancona Chicken Thread

[Apyl]

Interesting! I didn't know their combs changed size depending on whether or not they are laying (after they mature). I know the color will change for that reason.

Mine kinda slacked on the egg laying front in January (only 19 from the 2) but picked up in February (42).

Bruce

I'm assuming that what did it. My flock stopped laying by November and are just now starting now. When she stopped laying her comb shrunk but has doubled in size in the last week or so.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I would think the AC single combs would be much like the White Leghorn comb in characteristic with the single comb flop thing. My WL molted in the fall and her comb swiveled up and turned pink until it was almost pullet size again. Then recently, after four months, her comb stretched back out and turned that bright red again. So I would guess the same would be true for ACs. My AC hasn't molted yet, but I figure she will do something similar when she molts.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Sorry iPad double posted on mobile site

 

[bruceha2000]

I would think the AC single combs would be much like the White Leghorn comb in characteristic with the single comb flop thing. My WL molted in the fall and her comb swiveled up and turned pink until it was almost pullet size again. Then recently, after four months, her comb stretched back out and turned that bright red again. So I would guess the same would be true for ACs. My AC hasn't molted yet, but I figure she will do something similar when she molts.

Good to know. Now I won't freak that my girls are deathly ill when their combs shrink during moult (which presumably won't be until Fall). I've already seen a picture of a "plucked chicken" in full moult. Forewarned is forearmed

Bruce

 

[Yellow House Farm]

The comb is incorrect. It should e large and lopped over to one-side with the first point pointing up. Having said that, the comb is only worth a couple of points. This female has a lot going for her conformation-wise. She is a far cry better than most stock one sees from a hatchery. It would be good to see her from above, but from the side she has a nice body type. She should be a bit longer in the leg, but her tail angle is very good, which is rare in hatchery Anconas. Like so many Anconas, her mottling is in need of work, but that's OK. I'm assuming she's a hatchery bird, and if she is, she's one of the best hatchery birds I've seen.

When is the show your daughter would like to show her in?

 

[Apyl]

The comb is incorrect. It should e large and lopped over to one-side with the first point pointing up. Having said that, the comb is only worth a couple of points. This female has a lot going for her conformation-wise. She is a far cry better than most stock one sees from a hatchery. It would be good to see her from above, but from the side she has a nice body type. She should be a bit longer in the leg, but her tail angle is very good, which is rare in hatchery Anconas. Like so many Anconas, her mottling is in need of work, but that's OK. I'm assuming she's a hatchery bird, and if she is, she's one of the best hatchery birds I've seen.

When is the show your daughter would like to show her in?

Her comb is growing every day, if you check out the other pic I posted she did use to have a flop over comb until she hit winter. She's just started laying again and with that her comb has been growing again.
The fair is in August. I think I have a top view pic on my other computer. When my DH is off it I'll check and post. Oh and yes she is a hatchery chic. I guess we got luck.
Thanks for the comment, I do appreciate it.

 

[bruceha2000]

but her tail angle is very good, which is rare in hatchery Anconas.

Interesting. Mine definitely carry their tails higher.

What is the "correct" angle?
And is it relative to the ground?
And what part of the tail since it is somewhat "vertical fan" shaped?

This is back from Oct 28th when she was 18 weeks. She started laying 3 weeks later.




Bruce

 

[Apyl]

Ok, so here is the pic of her from the top. Whe was eating with the rest of the flock.

Here is the pic showing her comb folding over last summer.



YellowHouseFarm do you need any other angles ? I have tons of pics

 

[ChiChiLady]

Could some of you vetrin chicken flolks respond to the pros and cons of Ancona Rose comb hens verses Hamburg hens I have heard that the Hamburg hens have a very long laying career but it seems like their body type may be a bit smaller than the Ancona. Any other pluses and minuses you can think off?

Thanks

 

[ChiChiLady]

Bump