The Ancona
originated near the city of Ancona, Italy, from early Leghorns and other breeds.
Its mixed ancestry gives it extreme hardiness and prolificacy. Anconas were
originally known as Black Leghorns because of their color, which is black
with evenly white-tipped feathers. As with Leghorns, Anconas are known primarily
for egg-laying and produce large numbers of white eggs. They were once one
of the prime egg-producing breeds in Europe, and joined American farm flocks
in the 19th century. Active and busy birds, they are good foragers and said
to be indifferent to climate.
Varieties: Single Comb, Rose Comb.
Standard Weights: Cock-6 pounds; hen-4-1/2 pounds; cockerel 5 pounds; pullet-4 pounds.
Use: A small fowl that lays a fair number of rather small eggs.
Status: Rare. The Ancona is quite unusual in the U.S. as a production breed.
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