Ancona

[Muscovynmore]

Well, thaaat's interesting. They look like nicely-marked Swedishes, that's for sure.

I'll point out that the foot I can see has orange splotches, which points to Ancona genetics. And as I recall, when the breed was close to extinction, Swedishes and Runners were used as stock. So it's not really surprising when Swedish patterns show up . . . or when birds show up with "Runner markings" - color on face, white top part of the neck, solid color underneath except for a "ring" around the wing area. . . . I read a long, complicated article somewhere about all of the genetics that make up color and markings. A lot goes into this breed!

If the breeders are certain, then they're probably right. They're cute ducks anyway!

I had a male Ancona that got in with the Swedishes several years ago . . . the resulting ducklings looked like Swedishes with really messy bibs, which worked out since I was worried about which ducklings were crosses.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Hey Everyone,
I’m looking for some insight into a couple of ducklings I hatched this year. I have a flock of pure Ancona ducks. The majority from one place and a drake from another. Both swear up and down there is no chance of their stock being crosses. That being said, my main flock look like typica Ancona’s but then these two hatched.
Has anyone ever seen Ancona’s that look like this or is there maybe a recessive gene of some other breed somewhere down the line?
TIA

 

[DaniJ1687]

Awesome good to know. Thank you

 

[learycow]

If you are aiming for a flock of PURE anconas, I would start over.
We (ancona breeders) have found that many cross breed ducks have markings similar to anconas. Spots. So some people have what they think are anconas, but are in fact cross breed ducks.
Hence why you are likely getting some like this. While anconas can and do produce more solid colors and bibs now and then, it is NOT a trait to breed for and typically is a random one out of hundreds. Not several from a small hatch.

 

[DaniJ1687]

Thank you for your input but these have been the only two like this in probably over 100 babies hatched this year.
My breeders came from reputable breeders so I’m not concerned about purity, was simply wondering if anyone had seen any like them before.
I do realize that they are not breeder quality but will make some great pet quality birds.
the input on here has been amazing though.

 

[SailorNoMore]

Thanks! A very interesting thread...