Ancona Roo tryouts - one winner, two losers - help me decide

[cobrien]

Maybe you will get some help with the standard question if you post in the "breeds genetics & showing" section of BYC - scroll down to "chicken breeds" it is under there.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Quote:
That's the trouble; processing day will come before I can get my hands on the library copy of the Standard. I can't find the info online - anyone have a copy they could reference for me?

I'm sure you could find the breed standard on the computer.... Google it.

I know nothing... but i like the looks of #1.

 

[sgtmom52]

I did find this ~ maybe it will help...

Ancona Chicken Breed Facts

Class

* Standard Mediterranean
* Bantam Single Comb, Clean Legged
* Rose Comb, Clean Legged.

Size

* Standard Cock: 6 lb. (2.75 kg)
* Hen: 4.5 lb. (2 kg)
* Bantam Cock: 26 oz (740 g)
* Bantam Hen: 22 oz (625 g)

Comb

* Single Comb. Bright red, medium-sized red comb has five distinct points. Male: All five points stand upright. Female: First point stands upright; other four droop to one side.
* Rose Comb. Bright red, medium-sized red rose sits square in front, terminating in a well developed spike.

Wattles & Earlobes

* Wattles are bright red; earlobes are white. Male: Long, well-rounded wattles and small almond-shaped earlobes, close to head. Females: Medium, well-rounded wattles and oval earlobes close to the head.

Colour

* Yellow beak, though some black or horn shading at centre of upper mandible. Reddish brown eyes. Shanks and toes are yellow, though yellow mottled with black is acceptable. Plumage is shiny greenish black with white speckling on tips of feathers, distributed evenly and frequently across the body

Place of Origin

* Italy

Conservation Status

* Threatened

Special Qualities

* Lays longer into the winter without supplemental light than most breeds.​

 

[ninjascrub69]

either #1 or #2, they both look good (IMO)

 

[Amyh]

I think #1 is the prettiest, but I have no real experience breeding or showing chickens.

I just like that the white feathers are all throughout his body rather than concentrated on his belly and sides.

 

[Amyable]

Thanks everyone. The more I look, the more I like #1 also. sgtmom, that is the extent of breed info I could find; I was hoping for more detailed descriptions on plumage, but this will have to do.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I'm assuming these birds are from SQ stock since they came from Sandhills Preservation. Is this correct? Keep in mind that you may be selling yourself short by culling at this age. You really won't know what you have until they are about a year old and get their 1yr. plumage. You will also know by then how they have grown and filled out. I don't know much about this particular breed, but it looks like #3 has the most potential to be the nicest bird. He just needs more time to grow and fill out. You never know, especially at this age. Give them more time if you can. I have 22 Heritage RIR's roos that I will be raising for a minimum of a year to pick the best 6 of the flock for breeding. I know feed is expensive but I would hate to cull now and end up feeding inferior birds not fit for the breeding pen. IMHO

 

[Lbrad7]

Roo number 1 would be my pick.

 

[sourland]

I think you just received great advice from Chook-A-Holic. Allow the roosters to mature, and study the standard so that you don't choose the wrong bird.

 

[Amyable]

Well, the deed is done. I went with #1, time will tell if he is a good choice. We really had to bring the flock size down, can't afford to keep feeding boys right now. Thanks for all the suggestions.

ChookAHolic, I really don't think Sandhill's birds are SQ. I received 5 breeds, 5 or 6 birds each, and there was quite a bit of variability, some not good. I don;t have any delusions about getting stellar chicks from these birds; I just like the Ancona and want to hatch some chicks