Ancona Ducks

[TeePants]

Oh wow, that's at 6 weeks? Crazy how they grow so fast, they're adorable!

Here are some better pics of our two. Unfortunately, it looks like they will not have any black feathering on the chest. Is that considered a serious fault? I know it's not desirable... I guess it's not that big of a deal at the moment as we're not planning on breeding them - unless of course, we end up liking the ducks so much that we oust the chickens...

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Oh wow, that's at 6 weeks? Crazy how they grow so fast, they're adorable!

Here are some better pics of our two. Unfortunately, it looks like they will not have any black feathering on the chest. Is that considered a serious fault? I know it's not desirable... I guess it's not that big of a deal at the moment as we're not planning on breeding them - unless of course, we end up liking the ducks so much that we oust the chickens...

I love them!! they are so cute!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Oh wow, that's at 6 weeks? Crazy how they grow so fast, they're adorable!

Here are some better pics of our two. Unfortunately, it looks like they will not have any black feathering on the chest. Is that considered a serious fault? I know it's not desirable... I guess it's not that big of a deal at the moment as we're not planning on breeding them - unless of course, we end up liking the ducks so much that we oust the chickens...

SHAPE - DRAKE AND DUCK
Bill: Long, broad, with specks of colour desirable.
Eyes: Large well set. Plumage colour under the eye also desirable.
Head: Long, straight.
Neck: Long, Strong, and slightly arched.
Back: Quite long, somewhat flat along the top line, and broad, plumage colour covering at least 75% of the back is desirable.
Tail: Sex feathers of the drake are to be hard and well curled.
Wings: Strong, carried close to the body, plumage colour desirable on wings.
Breast: Nicely rounded, colour desirable (Swedish bib markings are undesirable for the breed.)
Body: Broad, moderately deep, carriage above horizontal.
Legs and Feet: Set wide apart, feet and toes straight and connected by a web, colour on the legs and feet is very desirable.
http://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?t=7958678

 

[kelseysfowl]

That is one of the reason we only have 2 chickens, and 4 ducks

 

[ChristineR]

SHAPE - DRAKE AND DUCK

Bill: Long, broad, with specks of colour desirable.

Eyes: Large well set. Plumage colour under the eye also desirable.

Head: Long, straight.

Neck: Long, Strong, and slightly arched.

Back: Quite long, somewhat flat along the top line, and broad, plumage colour covering at least 75% of the back is desirable.

Tail: Sex feathers of the drake are to be hard and well curled.

Wings: Strong, carried close to the body, plumage colour desirable on wings.

Breast: Nicely rounded, colour desirable (Swedish bib markings are undesirable for the breed.)

Body: Broad, moderately deep, carriage above horizontal.

Legs and Feet: Set wide apart, feet and toes straight and connected by a web, colour on the legs and feet is very desirable.
http://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?t=7958678

This is a completely different written standard than the any I've seen before. The standard I've seen calls for an oval and medium sized head; medium bill; medium length and coarseness neck; etc. etc.

According to Holderread, some serious faults are "weighing more than 1 pound above or below the given weights; clear yellow bills on mature birds; more than three-quarters of the total body surface area being colored or white." Also, Holderread writes that Ancona size and type and strong legs should be first considered in selecting breeders. Second should be color and markings.

 

[TeePants]

I have the Holderread standard and I didn't recall the absence of chest markings being mentioned, which is why I asked, it just says minor faults are pink bills or legs/feet that are undermarked, and serious faults are birds that are unsound/underproducing/over or undersized.

I guess we won't know till they are older!

 

[ChristineR]

I have the Holderread standard and I didn't recall the absence of chest markings being mentioned, which is why I asked, it just says minor faults are pink bills or legs/feet that are undermarked, and serious faults are birds that are unsound/underproducing/over or undersized.

I guess we won't know till they are older!

I don't think it specifically mentions the chest, just notes that the plumage should be "Irregularly marked" and that would include the chest.

And, I agree, although you can get an idea of their markings now, you won't know for sure until they're older.

 

[DxSOR25]

TeePants did you get your eggs from WOWSA farm out of Sugar Grove, NC? I am new to raising ducks and a buddy of mine talked me into it. Hes raised all kinds of poultry and reptiles and everything you name it. Anyways, just wondering if that is where you ordered from because I ordered a dozen which will be sent out on monday!!! My new brinsea octagon 20 has been running for almost a week now and I cant wait to place the eggs!! How was the shipping and the eggs? Thanks for reading and taking the time out to help a fellow ancona lover! lol

 

[eggorthechicken]

I got mine from WOWSA. I ordered 6 and 5 are good. I have them in a brinsea mini. They are due to hatch march 7th.:0)

 

[DxSOR25]

Eggorthechicken that's awesome!! Excited for next week lol been drawing out plans to make a shed type duck house!! Then gotta think of how I wanna build a nice large run! Keep us posted on how your eggs are going