Ancona Ducks

[learycow]

I have a drake over load. My solid white just developed drake feathers.
I really only want one but four is just not going to work with our little flock of eight.
Should I sell them off as pets since all my boys are calm and friendly or is some one interested in drakes from Boondockers lines.
The saxony in front then the four boys behind her and to the left. The black drake has black toes



Wyckford a deep brown drake.

Do you have a lavender or blue drake? I would be interested in a drake of one of those colors

 

[Rosepath Garden]

Sorry Learycow no lavenders just black, deep brown, white and a tri color with penciling.

 

[NYRIR]

Hey guys, nice ducks I am glad I found this thread. I have a trio of Anconas that I am going to try breeding this year. Here in NY they have not been laying for me yet but hopefully soon. I am still unsure about markings and what would be considered SQ or SOP. Does anyone have a really good pic of a SQ duck? How do these look? Really bad?

I know they aren't facing the best way to show markings but they all have white chests...is that a negative?These came from Cackle last spring...



It's so great to see people trying to help this breed....I want to be able to produce some decent examples of the breed but need to know if I should order some from elsewhere to start or if these ones have a chance of producing decent offspring. "Culling" heavy is not a problem for me because we raise ducks for meat as well as eggs.Any thoughts? Negative or positive responses welcome!
I do have the Storey's Guide for Ducks so I will be referencing that as well but it's always good to hear from fellow BYC'ers too...

 

[ChristineR]

I'm sure someone who knows what they're talking about will chime in here, but in the meantime, from the ALBC:

The Ancona averages 6 to 6.5 pounds and is a bit stockier than its close relative, the Magpie duck. It has a medium sized oval head, a medium-length bill that is slightly concave along the top line, an average neck that arches forward slightly and body carriage is 20 to 30 degrees above horizontal. The broken, mottled plumage is unique among ducks for, like Holstein cattle, there is no set design. "Any combination of white and color is acceptable as long as there are obvious broken areas on the head, backs, sides, and underbody." The neck is normally solid white, bills are yellow with dark green or black spotting, and the legs and feet are orange with black or brown markings that increase with age. (Holderread 2001, 53)

http://albc-usa.org/cpl/waterfowl/ancona.html

 

[toadbriar]

Anconas aren't recognized yet by the APA, so they haven't got a standard of perfection to adhere to. So I think of it as breeding to taste not type. A white breast is desirable to make a pretty carcass, but I like checkers and blotches on mine to contribute to more irregular markings. So I select for that (and a spot under the tail if possible cos they make me smile

)

If I were you I'd select for temperament, health, foraging ability, and laying. Colors are awesome but the best-marked Ancona is no good if it has a crappy temperament or fragile health. Good foraging is a breed trait, and helps your garden and pocketbook. Mine are nicely productive with eggs and I'd hate to lose that.

all the above, of course, being JMHO

 

[Iain Utah]

NYRIR, your ducks are adorable.

Toadbriar, great info!

 

[NYRIR]

NYRIR, your ducks are adorable.

Toadbriar, great info!

Thank you

 

[NYRIR]

I'm sure someone who knows what they're talking about will chime in here, but in the meantime, from the ALBC:

The Ancona averages 6 to 6.5 pounds and is a bit stockier than its close relative, the Magpie duck. It has a medium sized oval head, a medium-length bill that is slightly concave along the top line, an average neck that arches forward slightly and body carriage is 20 to 30 degrees above horizontal. The broken, mottled plumage is unique among ducks for, like Holstein cattle, there is no set design. "Any combination of white and color is acceptable as long as there are obvious broken areas on the head, backs, sides, and underbody." The neck is normally solid white, bills are yellow with dark green or black spotting, and the legs and feet are orange with black or brown markings that increase with age. (Holderread 2001, 53)

http://albc-usa.org/cpl/waterfowl/ancona.html
Thanks for that...but...lol...what does a medium-length bill measure exactly? Or a medium sized oval head? I am new to this so I have nothing to compare to...

 

[NYRIR]

Anconas aren't recognized yet by the APA, so they haven't got a standard of perfection to adhere to. So I think of it as breeding to taste not type. A white breast is desirable to make a pretty carcass, but I like checkers and blotches on mine to contribute to more irregular markings. So I select for that (and a spot under the tail if possible cos they make me smile

)

If I were you I'd select for temperament, health, foraging ability, and laying. Colors are awesome but the best-marked Ancona is no good if it has a crappy temperament or fragile health. Good foraging is a breed trait, and helps your garden and pocketbook. Mine are nicely productive with eggs and I'd hate to lose that.

all the above, of course, being JMHO

Ha Ha Ha...they are cute with spots everywhere!

I think my liking may lean towards yours...the hard part is I can't select for "foraging" ability as mine are penned. Temperament seems like my other ducks...always quacking for food and a hosing

I will have to watch for the egg laying (they have never layed yet) and health has not been a problem,except I think they are a little fat maybe?
Would love to see some pics of yours to compare....

 

[Iain Utah]

If anyone recalls, 3.5 weeks ago I hatched a single ancona duckling that was solid yellow... and I was worried it may not even be an ancona! Well, here she (I think) is today. Guess it is an ancona after all.