64 
HISTORY OF ANCONAS 
quick to mature, hardy, prolific layers 
even when several years old, and a 
good demand for stock and eggs is as¬ 
sured for years to come, as the breed¬ 
ers, though multiplied several times 
during the past five years, yet are not 
able to fill the demand. 
The Maryland Farmer: 
The time was, not many years ago 
either, when the question was fre¬ 
quently asked, “What is an Ancona?” 
This breed of fowls made little pro¬ 
gress when first introduced into the 
United States from England in 1890, as 
there were few breeders interested at 
that time, and for years there was no 
Ancona literature, no organization of 
Ancona breeders, and not an Ancona 
engraving of any kind. They were not 
exploited in any way, not even ex¬ 
hibited at any poultry show, nor ad¬ 
vertised in the public press. How 
could Aneonas advance under such 
conditions and circumstances? 
However, the little scattering of mot¬ 
tled beauties soon began to attract 
local attention by their persistent lay¬ 
ing of large white eggs, and gradually 
their circle of acquaintance broadened 
until it included some real fanciers, 
who took steps to have the breed ad¬ 
mitted into the American Standard of 
Perfection, which was brought to pass 
in 1895. It was not until fifteen years 
after this that the breed was pictured 
in the Standard. 
From this it can readily be seen that 
Aneonas were not exploited and boost¬ 
ed into prominence as new breeds 
usually are. The one thing that has 
made Aneonas so popular as they are 
today, is MERIT. 
We spoke of Aneonas as a new breed. 
That is hardly correct, as the Aneonas 
have for centuries been bred true to 
type in their native province of An¬ 
cona, on the east coast of Italy. For 75 
years they have been a popular breed 
in England. 
The one outstanding characteristic of 
Ancona hens is egg production, in 
which they excel. Pullets begin to 
lay when but 16 to 20 weeks old, and 
are unequalled as winter layers. The 
eggs are very large, usually weighing 
24 to 30 ounces to the dozen, and have 
white shells. 
Aneonas are easy keepers, and great 
foragers when allowed free range. Ex¬ 
periment Station reports have proven 
that Aneonas produce more eggs per 
100 pounds of feed consumed than 
does any other fowl. This means that 
there is more profit in them, which is 
really what most poultry raisers are 
after. 
The appearance of Aneonas is very 
striking and handsome. Their color is 
black-and-white. The background is a 
lustrous greenish black, and about one- 
half of the feathers are tipped with 
small white flecks, making a mottled 
effect that never fails to catch and hold 
the eye of the fancier. The legs are 
yellow, slightly mottled with black. 
Ancona baby chicks are canary color, 
with black backs and heads. They are 
very hardy and develop rapidly, reach¬ 
ing the light broiler stage ahead of 
other breeds. They are always in full 
feather, and never attain the half-clad 
gawky state seen in many breeds of 
half-grown chicks. 
Aneonas are adapted to back-yard 
poultry keeping, as they thrive in close 
confinement if not over crowded. They 
are just the breed for cold climates, 
as they are so close-feathered and very 
active and hardy they stand severe 
winter weather exceptionally well. 
There are but two varieties of An- 
conas—Single Comb and Rose Comb, 
which are identical in every way ex¬ 
cept shape of comb. 
If any reader of this aritcle wishes 
to make the maximum profit from hens. 
