Ancona Ducks

[Silkies~Polishes]

So I'm thinking about buying some ancona duck hatching eggs. I'm wondering what your opinions are on these guys based on temperament, laying, meat taste, etc. How much space does each duck need? they are going to be in a coop and run, so likely not much free range. I haven't built the coop yet so I need to find out how much space 3-4 ducks would need in the coop area and also the run area. And last question, if you have used sand and/or gravel, how has that worked out for keeping the run drier? Anything else I should know? This is my first time with ducks, obviously you can tell, lol.
If you have anconas post some pics if you'd like!
Thanks!

 

[ancona_crazy]

I loooove anconas!!! they are mild tempered, sweet, stay close to home, lay like crazy, are always happy, aren't flighty, and don't have a strong pecking order. They sort of bicker for five minutes when meeting eachother for the first time and get over it. I also like the idea that they are very easy to tell apart.

 

[Silkies~Polishes]

Well that's good to know! What colors do you have? Also does anybody have pictures of ducklings in:
Tri-color
Lilac
Blue
Silver

So I can identify them when they hatch

 

[laurajean23]

I'm thinking about adding some Ancona's later this year and would love to see more pictures. I've heard such great things about them.

 

[ducklover87]

Well that's good to know! What colors do you have? Also does anybody have pictures of ducklings in:
Tri-color
Lilac
Blue
Silver

So I can identify them when they hatch

This website is great for describing colors and Im pretty sure that its the website of a member on here..umm Aurora Springs I think the name is but not positive on this. http://worthitfarms.jigsy.com/ancona-colors. I myself only have black but next spring am getting an assortment of all the colors.

 

[Darth Bantam]

Just picked up an Ancona duckling today. It is soooo adorable. I will post pics of the little one later.

 

[Silkies~Polishes]

This website is great for describing colors and Im pretty sure that its the website of a member on here..umm Aurora Springs I think the name is but not positive on this. http://worthitfarms.jigsy.com/ancona-colors. I myself only have black but next spring am getting an assortment of all the colors.

Thanks for the link although I already looked there. I need pictures of ducklings.

 

[ducklover87]

Thanks for the link although I already looked there. I need pictures of ducklings.

Oh oops sorry thought you said ducks lol. I'm not sure about ducklings except maybe over in the other Ancona duck thread? I know I've seen pictures of some of their babies when they hatch. Here's the link to that thread maybe someone over there can help ya https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/422411/ancona-ducks/780#post_10914212. Hope this is better help than the last link I gave ya. Again sorry bout that. Good luck!

 

[Silkies~Polishes]

Okay thank you! That was very helpful!

 

[ancona_crazy]

We had a blue/brown tri which is pictured, black, hoping for some buff (we have some hatching out as I am writing you). And I am currently working on getting some eggs with other colors. If I want to see some of the variations of a breed I type it into google images and scroll through the pics