The Ancona is a breed of chicken originating in, and named after Ancona, Italy, but they've also been known in England since the late 1800s.
It is noted for its ability to produce white or sometimes tinted eggs, which are sometimes smallish in size. It is considered an excellent layer, as it lays an average of five eggs a week.
The Ancona's plumage is a mottled black with white speckles that tip the feathers. Its dark plumage makes it harder for predators to see, and often has a green or purple tint. It is a Mediterranean breed, which refers to its point of origin. Like other Mediterranean breeds, they are closely feathered.
They can have either a rose or a single comb, as either are excepted by the American Poultry Association. This breed has four toes, no feathering to its legs, and doesn't possess a crest. Their combs are large, and ideally hang off to one side. Standard males weigh around six pounds, while hens weigh around four and a half pounds. It also comes as a bantam.
The Ancona lays 160 to 180 eggs a year.
List of chicken breeds