Santa Barbara, California
Texas, United States
Pennsylvania, United States
Scientific name: Anas platyrhynchos domesticus
Country / Place of origin: United Kingdom
History: The Ancona Duck was developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1900's. It was probably created by crossing the Indian Runner Duck with the Belgian Huttegen Duck. The Ancona is a dual purpose breed which lays between 210 - 280 white eggs a year. According to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC), the population of Ancona Duck is considered to be "critical".
Current Uses: Meat and eggs. They have a long laying season.
Appearance: Anacona Ducks have a thick body and neck with an upright stance. They have a base color of white with patches or spots of one other color. They can be black and white, blue and white, brown and white, or lavender and white. Most of their back should be colored and there should be some coloring under the eyes. There are some white and tricoloreds available. Their orange beaks and feet should also have spots.
Average weight: 6 - 6.5 lbs.
Lifespan: 9 - 12 years
Grooming: Ducks keep clean by bathing, which stimulates them to preen and keep their feathers waterproof. At minimum, they need clean, fresh water that is deep enough to dunk their heads. It's necessary that they can submerge their eyes and nostrils to keep healthy. Without this opportunity to bathe, they are susceptible to eye and sinus infections. --if you like that, by all means use it whole or in part or altered. Ducks make a mess with water, so people sometimes try to just provide chicken waterers with the tiny tray, and their birds get sick.
Diet: If your duck has access to a natural pond they may find much of their diet on the pond. You can help provide a natural diet my growing duck weed, krill and other pond organisms. They will also enjoy eating your slugs and snails for you. They will also need an un-medicated waterfowl maintenance diet and fresh greens. It is important to know that bread is not a healthy food for any duck. In fact, ducks that eat large amounts of bread (for example in city parks) suffer from serious health problems including bone deformities.
Housing: Many owners of large properties with natural ponds enjoy keeping free range ducks. The Ancona Duck is a homebody and unlikely to stray too far making them a good free range duck. However there are some precautions that must be taken to have healthy ducks thrive on a natural pond and not get taken by predators. The pond needs to be large, at least a quarter acre in size for 25 ducks. To prevent botulism outbreaks it should be filtered naturally by plants or artificially. If at all possible the pond should be drained regularly as well. Keeping the edge of the pond dry with gravel or other means will also help to prevent a botulism outbreak. The ducks will need a night shelter that protects them from predators. During the day free range ducks are still at risk of becoming predator food. Herd protector dogs or geese can help keep your flock safe.
Health issues: There are several health conditions common to ducks that owners need to be aware of. Most can be prevented with good care. From their eating habits they can easily get internal parasites and may need regular deworming. Botulism is another disease that duck owners should be aware of. Botulism outbreaks occur around muddy and wet areas with decaying matter when the days and nights are hot. Botulism toxicity causes paralysis, starting in the legs and moving up the body to the head, and can lead to dead. The only treatment is to support the duck with lots of regular fluids via tubing to flush their system of the toxin. Botulism can be prevented by keeping their living areas free of mud and rotting debris that attracts flies. With a proper living environment and good vet care ducks can often live long healthy lives.
Behavior / Temperament / Activity level: Ancona Ducks have calm and composed personalities.
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