I have an Ancona Drake (black and white) that I noticed has about five little feathers on his back/neck that are lavender/silver, while the rest of his feathers are white or black. I'm wondering if this is just fluke or if he has recessive lavender/silver coloring? If I were to breed him would he throw lavender/silver babies? You can't see is little feathers here but here's a pic anyway.
I am not a help with genetics, but I have recently become fascinated by Anconas, and wanted to thank you for posting his photo. This is an intriguing question. Do you have a breeding program started?
I was reading about Anconas as I just hatched some in my incubator. Lavender and white is listed as a color. Mine are black and white... black and yellow right now. They are cute ducklings. I was going to give them all away, but I am thinking about keeping a couple of them.
I know Lavender and white is definitely a color of the ancona's, I was just especially surprised by seeing a few lavender feathers on my drake because he's primarily black and white. I had a female as well, but I ended up selling the female to a nice lady who used to have two ducks, but one was killed. She was looking for a replacement friend for her one duck that was left. It ended up being an awesome match!
My drake is 6 1/2 weeks old, and has all his feathers. He's a pretty boy! I would highly recommend the Ancona Breed for ducks; The majority of them has a calm, sweet attitude. I read that they also don't bother with their flocks pecking order as much as other breeds. Their female's play a larger role in the flock, they tend to be leaders within the foraging groups. My own drake is typically very social, and sweet. He's gotten along with every duck I put in with him-no matter the other ducks age.
As for a breeding program, I only have the one Ancona right now. I had firmly believed I would get all Welsh Harlequins because I read good things about them, and I LOVE their colors; but since I bought my Ancona I've fallen in love, and switched favorites.
I will be buying hatching eggs though, so I'm hoping to get a few other colors besides just the black and white (which by the way IS still gorgeous. the black shines a blue and green sheen in the sun once their feathers are in) From what i've read they have Black, lavender, silver, chocolate, and blue for the colors. I've seen the odd Tri colored bird too.
Oh yes, and I bought my birds from a BYC member, however she got them from the Thistle Down Farm breeders. They have a website, but it looks like it's having difficulties. I believe they're placed in Oregon.
Here's a picture or two of my drake when he was younger; I don't have any other more recent pictures, I'll have to get out there and take some! Here he is with my chocolate runner.
They do look like lavender-the breeder said they have black, blue and chocolate though? I guess I can't tell the difference between the blue and lavender yet.
They do look like lavender-the breeder said they have black, blue and chocolate though? I guess I can't tell the difference between the blue and lavender yet.
