The Ancona duck is a dual-purpose duck that’s becoming increasingly popular with backyard poultry enthusiasts. The breed is prized for its beautiful plumage, with every bird boasting its own unique pattern, while its laying ability rivals that of the world-renowned Pekin duck. Read on to learn how to care for Ancona ducks and why you should add one to your flock.
Ancona Duck Origins and Uses
For a long time, experts believed the Ancona breed to have originated in the U.K. during the 20th century. It shares certain similarities with local populations of Runner ducks and Huttegen ducks, leading to the theory that Anconas arose through natural interbreeding.
However, recent evidence points to the Ancona duck being a bird of American origins. According to a 1913 article published in the Water Fowl Club of America Yearbook, the duck hails from Knowlesville, New York. A Ridge View farmer named W. J. Wirt announced that he had developed a new breed that he dubbed the “Ancona,” named after the similarly patterned chicken.
Additional evidence from local poultry shows points to the first Anconas coming out of the United States. By 1915, periodicals such as Poultry Item Magazine and the American Poultry Yearbook announced Ancona ducks taking home blue ribbons at shows across the Northeast.
Nowadays, the American Livestock Conservancy officially recognizes the Ancona to be of American origin. There is still some speculation as to which standard breeds Wirt bred to reach the unmistakable spotted coloration that characterizes modern Ancona ducks.
Anconas are dual-purpose birds prized for both their exceptional laying abilities and their delicious meat. They grow quickly, reaching butchering size by 7 to 8 weeks old, though you can butcher them later as well for a greater yield. Their meat is rich and flavorful, with less fat than other popular breeds such as the Pekin duck.
Thanks to their unique coloration patterns, Ancona ducks also make popular ornamental birds. Though they aren’t as sociable as some breeds, Anconas tend to be calm, even-tempered, and get along with most people and pets, making them an ideal choice of backyard poultry for most.
Physical Characteristics of Ancona Ducks
Ancona ducks are medium-class ducks, though they’re fairly small for their category. Adult males average around 6 to 6.5 lbs, while lighter females average between 5 and 5.5 lbs. Despite their small size, they’re heavy due to their short and stocky stature. They have a more robust build than their closest cousin, the Magpie duck.
Their plumage is perhaps their most notable feature, with a distinctive mottled pattern that varies from duck to duck. Many people compare their coloration to that of the common Holstein cow.
While people tend to be most familiar with black and white Anconas, there are also several other varieties that make an attractive addition to any flock. The one factor they all share in common is that almost all Anconas have solid white necks.
Blue and white anconas have splashes of cool gray across their bodies, while silver and white have lighter, more delicate coloring. Lavender and white Anconas boast dark gray spots that look almost purple in the right light. You can even find tricolor varieties that display three or more colors.
Chocolate and white Anconas are popular show birds, but they can be more challenging to breed than other varieties. The color pattern is a sex-linked genetic trait, meaning that inheritance depends on gender. Because chocolate is a recessive trait, few offspring in a brood will display it.
Anacondas have a distinctive yellow bill that runs concave along the top beak, often with dark spotting. Legs and feet are typically orange and also boast dark markings that usually appear black to dark green.
Do Ancona Ducks Fly?
Though Ancona ducks can flap their wings for a little bit of lift, the breed cannot actually fly due to a squat, heavy body. They tend to stay close to home and in one spot, making it fairly easy for backyard bird owners to keep them contained.
While it may not be strictly necessary to fence in a flock of Anconas, it’s always a good idea to keep backyard poultry in an enclosure. It’s the best way to keep ducks safe from common predators such as foxes, coyotes, and even neighborhood pets.
Ancona Duck Lifespan
With proper care, a healthy Ancona duck can live as long as ten years. Like most domesticated ducks, Anconas living in captivity often live longer than their brethren in the wild. As long as they have a sturdy enclosure, they don’t have to worry about pests or predators.
Anconas are also hardy birds that are highly resistant to common diseases. Most flocks need minimal medical care, especially if their owner takes precautions such as annual vet check-ups and quarantining. Anconas are most susceptible to picking up worms while foraging and so regular deworming treatments can help improve longevity.
Ancona Duck Diet
Ancona ducks are born foragers, spending most of the day rooting around on the ground for food such as bugs and worms, nuts and seeds, weeds, and more. They also eat small stones or gravel, which then travel to the gizzard to aid in digestion.
Unfortunately, domesticated ducks often have limited foraging space and may not be able to find all of the nutrients they need to thrive. While it’s important that Anconas have space to forage, this should only be a supplement to their main diet.
You should have commercial pellets on offer at all times in a safe, dry location so that your ducks can feed as necessary. You can find special mixes made for ducklings as well as options for growing juveniles, meat birds, and laying adults.
It’s also a good idea to provide a fresh mix at least twice per day. You should include foods such as fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, and seeds while avoiding anything processed or loaded with carbohydrates.
Ancona Duck Breeding and Egg Production
Ancona birds are able to mate year-round, though spring and summer are the best seasons to ensure successful offspring. Though they don’t mate for life, a pair may stay together throughout an entire mating season.
Hens typically start laying eggs around five months and continue until 5 to 8 years of age. They lay four to five eggs per week, making them one of the most prolific layers amongst domesticated duck breeds. In a year, a healthy Ancona hen will lay anywhere between 210 and 280 eggs.
Eggs are large, typically increasing in size as a hen ages. At peak laying age, eggs average around 70 grams apiece. Colors can vary, even in individual hens, with most eggs ranging in color from white or cream to pale blue.
Ancona hens are fairly independent birds and don’t often get broody. While this means less aggression from new mothers, it may also force breeders to rely on incubators when hatching live eggs.
Ancona Duck Behavior
Anconas are known for their calm, laid-back demeanor. They tend to get along well with all manner of pets and people, including children. Anconas are also accepting of livestock and other birds. In a large flock, they typically won’t establish as strict a hierarchy as other duck breeds, nor will they display aggressive or competitive behavior.
This breed is known for its hardiness and can easily adapt to almost any environment. Their dense plumage protects them during cold nights and snowy winters. When it’s hot or humid out, Anconas are adept at keeping cool by bathing. They don’t require much socialization or intervention from humans, making the Ancona a fairly low-maintenance bird.
Keeping Ancona Ducks as Pets
Anconas make popular pets thanks to their calm, docile demeanor. They aren’t aggressive towards humans or animals, and they tend not to act as hierarchical as other ducks. However, they are significantly louder than domestic breeds such as the Orpington. Anconas frequently chatter or squawk as they forage and will release loud alarms when startled.
Those who decide to keep Anconas as pets will have to be diligent about cleaning. Anconas can produce a strong smell, especially when you include fish or seafood in their diet. It’s important to keep both their foraging area and their housing clear from waste to prevent smell and stop the spread of disease.
Tips on Ancona Duck Care
- Ancona ducks need plenty of lush outdoor space to forage.
- You should provide cool, clean water year-round for swimming, either in a pond or a container.
- Living quarters should have at least four sq ft of space per duck.
- Change bedding regularly to avoid smells, mold, and bacteria.
- Don’t count on Ancona mothers to care for their eggs. Instead, invest in an incubator if you plan to breed.
Ancona Duck Cost
Ancona ducks are a relatively rare breed, so it should come as no surprise that they’re more expensive than most other domesticated ducks. Chicks usually run between $8 and $15 apiece, with females costing more due to potential laying abilities. Most hatcheries also offer price breaks when you buy in bulk.
Fertilized eggs often have costs on par with live baby chicks, though occasionally, you will pay slightly more. Keep in mind that while hatcheries can sex chicks with some success, it’s impossible to tell whether an egg is male or female from appearance. Eggs also require you to invest further in incubation equipment to hatch.
You can purchase day-old hens and fertilized eggs from online hatcheries that offer specialized live shipping services. Many livestock and feed stores also sell live chicks, though eggs may be harder to find.
Sexually mature Anconas are the most expensive option. They can cost upwards of $100 and are often difficult to find. Often, the best place to find adult ducks is by locating a breeder or checking your local classifieds.
Fortunately, Ancona upkeep tends to be inexpensive and easy. They’re a hardy, hands-off bird that’s unlikely to need excessive medical attention. Most owners end up spending under $100 per year on commercial food and supplies.
Noteworthy Facts about Ancona Ducks
- The American Poultry Association does not officially recognize the Ancona duck breed.
- Unlike other duck breeds, females make foraging decisions for Ancona flocks.
- Anconas are too heavy to attract the attention of most aerial predators.
Info Table
| Purpose | Eggs and meat |
| Country of origin | U.S.A. |
| Breed Class | Medium |
| Weight – Drake | 6 to 6.5 lbs |
| Weight – Hen | 5 to 5.5 lbs |
| Eggs per year | 210 to 280 |
| Egg size | Large |
| Egg weight | 70 g |
| Egg production age | 5 months |
| Diet | Insects, worms, nuts, seeds, weeds |
| Lifespan | 10 years |
| Flying ability | None |
| Personality | Calm, Independent |
| Distinguishing features | Spotted or Mottled Coloration |
| Varieties | Black and White, Silver and White, Blue and White, Lavender and White, Chocolate and White, Tricolored |
| Cost (USD) | $8 to $15 |