What type of duck we dream of..
Anconas were the duck I wanted ever since we got into ducks. They are an all-around good duck; good foragers, good egg-layers, and their unique to each colors and patterns. Plus, they are some of our friendliest ducks. We saw a critical need for more conservation breeders and decided that was something we could do, so here we are.
The Controversy
Ancona ducks are very low in number. They are considered an American breed by most people, but are not recognized as a breed by the American Poultry Association (APA). The APA is willing consider a standard for Anconas but it seems that the current proposed standard is too narrow, too strict. Ancona ducks have many traits that make them unique; they can lay different color eggs. There is a lovely variety of colors of Anconas; chocolate and white, blue and white, silver and white, lavender and white, and the most common the black and white. There is also a tri-colored variety that comes to be colored in many colors and patterns, even to have some pied like a mallard. The proposed APA standard would exclude all except the white eggs and the black and white. These excluded ducks are too much of the current overall Ancona count to make that choice even feasible. If we exclude that much of their genetic base, they’re doomed. Please go over to the North American Ancona Duck Alliance’s website and read about how we are helping this awesome breed by using Holderread’s standard instead of theproposed APA one.
Starwater Breeding Goals 2023
The first time all of our ducks will be grown and showing their potential laying quality will be in the fall. Even down here in the tropical weather we have a little fall, so the ducks might stop laying because of the season, not because of being inferior layers. With that in mind, we will be using only their appearance to select which birds remain for the next season and which go up for sale as a pet.
Early 2023- This year so far…we are beyond ecstatic that it turns out of the 6 ducks from Estes Hatchery, we hit the jackpot and got 5 girls! Vella is one of our friendliest and she has a beautiful sheen on her black, she’s definitely a keeper. One day I’ll get a picture of all those shimmers! The younger group will add a lot of color to the flock in just a few weeks.
Fall 2023- haha that was funny to reread. One of those “girls” was actually a guy. Sorry Pyxis 🤦♀️ however the other prediction was right on and now we have a chocolate, a blue, and a lilac added to the flock! All the girls from both batches started laying early and at the same time. Two girls are wanting to already go broody 😊
Toes is our chocolate and white drake. Lightly colored but still a keeper with his awesome color, personality, and health. Very nice ans protective of his special gal pal Silver.
Silver (left) Goldie (right) – for lack of better names, I had to quickly call them something before every yellowish duckling was named Goldie by husband-man Ken. They are definitely ready to go broody after laying just a month – sorry broody ladies, not yet! Both started laying at just before 5 months old. These two sisters are probably our best foragers 😊
Aquila – our shyest girl but our prettiest girl too. And she lays the light green eggs! I predict a future daughter named Priscilla 😁
Crux is the friendliest Ancona we have. Always has to get to the crux of things. Friendly with not just the girls but other drakes also. My love 😍
Vela- this is our sheeny-shiny girl. Always brave and friendly she is our super over-achiever of double yolks. Lucky duck 🍀
We expect to hatch our next batch of Anconas this month