New member with Ancona questions

[Peavy]

Hi Everyone!
Thanks for having me. I've been wanting chickens my whole life and now at age 44 I am finally able to get a small flock of 5 birds! I cannot tell you how excited I am. I have been trying to dig up info on the temperament of the Ancona. Does anyone know if this would be a good beginner's bird? I love the size and looks of these birds but I am slightly concerned about info I have read that say they are nervous, avoid human contact, flighty, unfriendly....please let me know your experience with these guys.

Thank you so much!

 

[Smoky73]

Very flighty and nervous birds indeed, as is most Leghorn varieties. I also have Minorcas and Andalusians and they are equally so! My last Ancona has mellowed with age so she is able to be picked up with alot less trouble than when she was a year old but that has taken 4 years. Also very NOISY! They liked to chatter alot and loudly!
Here are two pictures of my Ancona

I wouldnt recommend them if you want birds to handle alot as pets. Spastic is what I would call them. They are fantastic egg layers though.

 

[keljonma]

Here are some pictures of our Ancona, Lucy. She is very mellow. We pick her up and pet her all the time without any problems. She does love to chatter, but we call it singing! Our girls are 9 months old. Lucy lays a beautiful white egg with a slight beige tint and matte finish 4 days a week.

Here she is as a 15 day-old chick..



Here she is last week-end hanging out with our Golden Laced Wyandotte, Jackie..


I've talked about Lucy before, as she is one of our friendliest pullets..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=991

 

[SpottedCrow]

The Mediterranean breeds are really flighty. this is from the Henderson Chicken Chart.

FS OK Om AR PP box PB
Black mottled, only


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Rather rare & in decline.
40%
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Standard:
4.5 lb/2 kg
Bantam:
1.5 lb/0.7 kg APA (1898): Large: Mediterranean; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Light


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Layer Developed in Italy in mid-19th C. probably from leghorns sporting mottled feathers. Once rivaled the Leghorn in Europe, but never caught on in North America

white to
light cream
single, also rose
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yellow skin & shanks
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white non-setter
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generally hardy; very cold hardy except for combs
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early maturing hens economical eater, prefers free range; nervous & restless in confinement; flyer; active, flighty, marked wildness, avoids human contact

 

[Peavy]

Thanks so much for your answers and photos! Beautiful girls. I have decided that I am going to wait on the Anconas even though I love their looks and the egg-laying. I am going to get some Delawares and see how I do at chicken keeping this year and perhaps next year I will add some Anconas.