|: FROM "POULTRY ITEM" MAGAZINE ; 



|[ Commending Ancona Fowl» | 



A NCONAS can no longer be considered a new breed, as they have be- 

 '^ come plentifully sprinkled in nearly every section of the country. In 

 many states they outnumber some of the older breeds, and the shows of 

 importance now have the Ancona classes amcpg the best filled in the 

 show room. 



There has been no unwarranted boom of Anconas. Their introduc- 

 tion began in a small way without advertising, and for nearly ten years 

 their inciease was due solely to personal recommendation and the curiosity 

 awakened by occasional contact with the then new breed by a breeder 

 who had seen and admired the few specimens infrequently exhibited at 

 poultry shows or at the yards of the few and scattering Ancona breeders. 



Finally the merits of Anconas as prolific layers of large white eggs 

 came to the attention of the commercial poultry public. Their beauty 

 and possibilities in fancy breeding excited the admiration of those breeders 

 interested in the exhibition end of poultry craft, and then concerted action 

 was taken to extend their acquaintance among poultry raisers generally. 

 However, Anconas were well established as a utility fowl several years be- 

 fore any attempt was made to boost them. 



The value of Ancona fowls lies in the fact that they produce eggs at the 

 least cost per dozen of any known breed. This is due to the dual advan- 

 tage of heavy egg production and small eating characteristics of the breed, 

 together with the fact that the pullets begin laying at the early age of 16 

 weeks, and continue to be profitable layers until three and even four years 

 old. Their eggs are white and large. 



While no pretense is made that Anconas are a market fowl, yet their 

 flesh is very sweet and the chicks develop quickly to the light broiler stage. 

 The skin is yellow and the carcass plump, which is a very desirable quality 

 in table fowls. 



Anconas are adapted to back lots, mixed farms, or exclusive poultry 

 plants. They stand confinement well, are hardy, not susceptible to disease, 

 and are good foragers on free range. 



Although Ancona breeders are now numbered by the thousands in 

 every section of the United States and in Canada, yet the supply is not 

 equal to the demand and those breeders who advertise are unable to fill 

 all their orders, though they are continually increasing their capacity. 

 Prices are very good, and those who are breeding Anconas and have stock 

 and eggs for sale are making nice money. The country is large and breed- 

 ers seem to be multiplying faster than are the fowls. National magazines, 

 large daily and Sunday newspapers, and the agricultural press are all giv- 



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