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Characteristics

Colour: Midnight blue with bright V-shaped white speckles.

One of the oldest breeds of chickens, the Ancona was bred for centuries in the Marche region on the east coast of Italy. Fortunately it was spotted by a group of poultry enthusiasts and arrived in the British Isles in the mid- to late-nineteenth century. It was also known as the Mottled Leghorn or Black Leghorn since its beautiful patterned plumage gives it a strong resemblance to that breed. The feathers whiten with age.

This tough, hardy bird is extremely popular in Europe since it can adapt easily to a range of environments. It is an efficient scavenger and has a great instinct for finding food. It is also well known for its egg-laying abilities; it is quite common for one bird to lay three hundred white eggs a year. As a result of this range of attributes the breed has flourished. The high-flying Ancona must always be bred free range but kept within a high fence to prevent it from disappearing.

It is no longer used commercially but is bred for the pleasure it gives, still having a firm place in domestic flocks and at poultry shows throughout the British Isles, Europe and the USA.