Ancona Ducks

[Chicken Crazy12]

I posted these pics in another thread, but thought I would share them here as well. I've been working with the breed for a little while now and here is my latest progress. Keep in mind that these are young birds between 2 and 3 months old, so bill spotting should get heavier as they age. I've got a couple of things still that need improvement on them, but this is the dirrection that I'm taking my bloodline.











Anyone that wants some Coyote Bloodlines get your hatching egg orders in now!
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[m.kitchengirl]

Lovely spotting and they have such nice chest markings.
Beautiful birds.

 

[NYRIR]

Chicken Crazy12- Nice birds! Where did you get your original flock? How long have you been breeding them?

 

[Chicken Crazy12]

My original starting flock was from cackle who got them from Holderread years ago. I ordered quite a few and culled down to a handful of the very best birds. I've been raising them for a couple years now. My current flock consists of black and chocolate but I'm making some new additions this year with more rare colors.

I've done so much culling to get my flock the way it is and to advise someone else to go to the same place as I got my original birds for the same results would be misleading to say the least. My birds are really a reflection of my own personal taste in the breed and my hard work adhering to Holderreads breed standard.

At this point you can just call them the Coyote Bloodline because they look nothing like those original cackle birds anymore. I'm glad you all like them as well because I'm really excited about how they are coming along.

 

[NYRIR]

IMHO your line is looking like what I have read they should. I think you are doing a fabulous job! I hope I am able to spot and cull as well as you have! Would you mind if in the future I showed you some of mine and ask your opinion on what to look for and who to keep? And how old are they before you cull?

 

[Chicken Crazy12]

Thanks, I'll help in any way I can. I usually do my first culls right after they fluff up and move to the brooder. Then my second cull around 3 months. After that I know what their markings will look like as adults and if they are still with me at that point they will be around until one that looks better comes along that replaces them in the breeding flock. I don't want 100 Anconas that range in quality from Excellent, good, okay, poor and bad I would much rather have 10-20 that are all Excellent or good quality. Even with the very best Anconas you are going to have to cull for the desired marking ratio.

 

[ChristineR]

I love the markings on your Anconas. Great job! Now I know where to get my next hatching eggs.

 

[ducklover700]

Those are some beautiful ducks! I'm new to Ancona's but I am quickly falling for these birds!

 

[Chicken Crazy12]

Thank You guys

Just drop me an email or PM whenever you want some hatching eggs

I've got some ducklings coming in May that are supposed to be TSQ from Holderreads old bloodlines. I'm excited about adding them into my original stock, I've also got some Silvers coming too, but we will see how many of those will get to stay based on their quality. Next year I should have all colors to offer and I'll be able to ship ducklings as well. Anyway, sorry I haven't been able to respond since yesterday BYC hasn't been letting me post. Hopefully now all is fixed.

 

[ChristineR]

Boondockers is selling adult laying females with faulty coloring for $40. I'm assuming they are local pick up only, but maybe not.