Ancona Ducks

[DaisyMeadow]

I have a question that I hope someone can answer: In Carol Deppe's book, she described Anconas as "very alert and sensible about predators and make better watchdogs than the geese I used to have." Is she referring only to alertness, or is she referring to loudness in alerting?

We have geese now (four Toulouse) and I've had to find a new home for them (I just keep putting off getting rid of them) because of the noise. How noisy are Anconas compared to other ducks (and compared to geese)? We also have three Pekins (drake and two hens).

I'm thinking about ordering a batch of 15 from Cackle Hatchers - any thoughts on that - especially regarding noise?

Thank you!

I have 4 anconas who were raised with my geese. As far as they are concerned, they are geese, as they run around with the geese and they live with the geese. I had one ancona drake who, for whatever reason, likes to chase one of my ganders around. He would run him all day like there was an invisible leash between him and the gander. I have no idea why this started or for what purpose it happens, it just did. In keeping my anconas with the geese, I can say that they are mindful of where their flock is and like to stay together. I haven't noticed any special alertness, per se. They are not noisy like the geese, at all. I just got pekins about a month ago, and would venture to say that my pekins are much louder than my anconas. As far as my birds go (I have about 150) the anconas are quiet enough and well mannered enough to stay completely below notice. So I'd say that's pretty darn quiet. I hope this helps. Maybe others have experiences that can help you better with your decision.

 

[eggorthechicken]

I have seen my drakes chase my Roos around also...it's kinda funny. I think my ducks are a hoot to watch.

 

[SilkieSensation]

My annies are penned with my American buffs. The buffs are extremely loud compared to the annies. I also have call ducks, who are comparable in volume to the buff geese. My 6 calls make much more noise than my 7 annies. I also used to have 7 pekins. Other than when they see you coming with the feed bucket, the annies are rarely heard where the pekins go off at every little thing.

 

[Colonel]

Thank you all very much for the replies. It looks like the decision has been made - Anconas will be the ducks in the yard.

I sure do appreciate the help and advice!

 

[sarasweatman]

I have a question that I hope someone can answer: In Carol Deppe's book, she described Anconas as "very alert and sensible about predators and make better watchdogs than the geese I used to have." Is she referring only to alertness, or is she referring to loudness in alerting?

We have geese now (four Toulouse) and I've had to find a new home for them (I just keep putting off getting rid of them) because of the noise. How noisy are Anconas compared to other ducks (and compared to geese)? We also have three Pekins (drake and two hens).

I'm thinking about ordering a batch of 15 from Cackle Hatchers - any thoughts on that - especially regarding noise?

Thank you!

My Anconas are really quiet. They do work as a team. One always watching while the others eat. They take turns. My drake also threw himself in front of a fox for his girls. It was sad. Only three feet in front of me. However they do mostly just whisper. My Anconas are my favorite birds though. Could sit and watch them for hours!

 

[carolynm]

My annies are penned with my American buffs. The buffs are extremely loud compared to the annies. I also have call ducks, who are comparable in volume to the buff geese. My 6 calls make much more noise than my 7 annies. I also used to have 7 pekins. Other than when they see you coming with the feed bucket, the annies are rarely heard where the pekins go off at every little thing.

I have a question-are you able to keep feed in front of your Ancona's all the time? Mine are pigs! They gobble everything I put in front of them. I'm used to free feeding all my poultry but this group I don't think I can. I'm afraid they'll gorge themselves to death if allowed free access to feed all of the time. How much should a grown ancona be eating daily? I'm wondering if I put 1/2 a bag of feed in there if they'd eat it all or if they'd learn to regulate themselves?

 

[SilkieSensation]

My annies are penned with my American buffs. The buffs are extremely loud compared to the annies. I also have call ducks, who are comparable in volume to the buff geese. My 6 calls make much more noise than my 7 annies. I also used to have 7 pekins. Other than when they see you coming with the feed bucket, the annies are rarely heard where the pekins go off at every little thing.

I have a question-are you able to keep feed in front of your Ancona's all the time? Mine are pigs! They gobble everything I put in front of them. I'm used to free feeding all my poultry but this group I don't think I can. I'm afraid they'll gorge themselves to death if allowed free access to feed all of the time. How much should a grown ancona be eating daily? I'm wondering if I put 1/2 a bag of feed in there if they'd eat it all or if they'd learn to regulate themselves?

I have 7 annies & 2 buff geese penned together currently. I fill a 8 inch wide by 3 inch deep rubber bowl about 3/4 full & usually have close to an inch left in the bowl the next day. They have access to it 24/7.

Last summer, I had them growing out with scovies, pekins, khakis & welshies & still usually had feed left at bedtime. They were locked away from the feed at night in the old pen.

 

[heritagemeadows]

I just wanted to invite everyone who has Ancona Ducks to join our facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/groups/anconaducks/
We are trying to get everyone with Ancona ducks together to discuss the breed, share phtos and info. and work to improve and save the breed.

 

[learycow]

I have a question-are you able to keep feed in front of your Ancona's all the time? Mine are pigs! They gobble everything I put in front of them. I'm used to free feeding all my poultry but this group I don't think I can. I'm afraid they'll gorge themselves to death if allowed free access to feed all of the time. How much should a grown ancona be eating daily? I'm wondering if I put 1/2 a bag of feed in there if they'd eat it all or if they'd learn to regulate themselves?

I give feed when they first get turned out in the morning and again in the afternoon if everything in their dish is gone.

They will eat more than they need, lol. So if you want to cut down on costs, and don't want fat birds then I would suggest taking feed away at night. Otherwise they will gorge themselves

Summer helps too though if you are able to free range. Mine usually refer to forage than eat grain in the summer. So that cuts down the feed bill big time!

 

[wildsam]

New to this forum but we just ordered our first Ancona duck eggs! So excited to incubate them and see more ducklings hatch!
So far we got 3 Pekins, 1 Khaki and 4 Rouen ducks and love them!!!
Now we wanna add Anconas and can't WAIT to see the new arrivals hatch!