The Ancona breeders thread

[Rhinoman]

@Rhinoman Sounds great. Do you have an SOP? If you start going over it, it might be fun for you to clerk at the show at the Northeastern Poultry Congress.

Of course I have an SOP! You recommended I get one when I became interested in breeding.

I'll e-mail you about clerking.

 

[steven29128]

I am looking to buy or trade for some Ancona Chickens. Does anyone have any for sale?

 

[crazi4chix]

Hello Ancona thread. I have an 8 month th old Ancona who started laying at 5 months that and was consistent until 3 weeks ago, then nothing. She seems healthy and happy. The rest of our varies flock (free range by day, large clean coop at night) are healthy and laying well. Pie weather has definitely become cooler, days shorter, and three weeks ago we brought home some new chicks who are in brooder in coop. The Ancona's floppy red comb has retracted significantly and lightenend. Any ideas? It's like someone flipped a switch and turned off her eggs.

 

[Chicken Patty]

Hello

Hello Ancona thread. I have an 8 month th old Ancona who started laying at 5 months that and was consistent until 3 weeks ago, then nothing. She seems healthy and happy. The rest of our varies flock (free range by day, large clean coop at night) are healthy and laying well. Pie weather has definitely become cooler, days shorter, and three weeks ago we brought home some new chicks who are in brooder in coop. The Ancona's floppy red comb has retracted significantly and lightenend. Any ideas? It's like someone flipped a switch and turned off her eggs.

I am in the learning process of chickens. I was told when the days get shorter that sometimes they will decrease in laying. I was told to put a hanging light and turn it on before daylight and they will start laying more.
I'm gonna give it a try. Mine are at 6 months old this month. Now my Rhode Island Reds are prolific layers ..
Good luck with the egg production. Mine are also free range.

 

[elizmartin]

Hello Ancona thread. I have an 8 month th old Ancona who started laying at 5 months that and was consistent until 3 weeks ago, then nothing. She seems healthy and happy. The rest of our varies flock (free range by day, large clean coop at night) are healthy and laying well. Pie weather has definitely become cooler, days shorter, and three weeks ago we brought home some new chicks who are in brooder in coop. The Ancona's floppy red comb has retracted significantly and lightenend. Any ideas? It's like someone flipped a switch and turned off her eggs.

Not knowing what the rest of your flock is comprised of, different breeds have different habits. Some are good winter layers some are sporatic some seasonal. As a precaution i would pick her up and make sure her weight is good, and also that she is able to enjoy food, water and surrounding coop without harrasment. With the new chicks in the brooder she may be reacting as if they were hers, not really but in a sense. At least mine are not broodie even though i wish they would be occasionally….It would be interesting if there was a coralation between her and the new chicks…..How does she act around them ????

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
Was just over at ebay. search Mottled Anconas. Some guy has a 3 pack of pamphlets from a mottled Ancona breeder. Includes breeding plans and results. who won, etc. looks real interesting. 1926, 27 and 28.
Best,
Karen

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Hi,
Was just over at ebay. search Mottled Anconas. Some guy has a 3 pack of pamphlets from a mottled Ancona breeder. Includes breeding plans and results. who won, etc. looks real interesting. 1926, 27 and 28.
Best,
Karen

Thanks for the heads-up. Procured.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

So we hatched some 300 this year. I hope to soon post pics for fellow Ancona people to enjoy. I hope that others are developing an interest in working on preserving this excellent breed. I am struck by the productivity, elegance, and hardiness of our strain. They are a joy to watch move about.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Pullet #1359. Champion large fowl of the New Hampshire Poultry Fanciers Association 53rd annual show, 10/9/2016.

 

[crazi4chix]

Hello all - I posted long ago, asking about my Ancona's comb becoming pale and shrunken. Turns out this happens during each molt. Egg laying stops, full molt takes several weeks, then all returns to normal. Her comb becomes bright red and floppy again, and her pretty white eggs return.