Ancona
Egg layer · Italy
Named for the Italian port city of Ancona, this speckled black-and-white layer is a tireless forager that would rather find its own dinner than wait at the feeder. Anconas lay generously and eat modestly, but they're quick, watchful birds that don't love being handled.
Eggs per year
220–280
Egg color
White
Egg size
Medium
Hen weight
4–5 lbs
Temperament
Active and alert
Broodiness
Rarely goes broody
Did you know?
An Ancona's white feather tips get larger with each molt, so older birds look noticeably more speckled than pullets.
Is the Ancona right for your flock?
Expect roughly 220–280 white eggs a year from a healthy hen in her prime — production dips during molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as she ages. Planning space? A Ancona hen runs 4–5 lbs, so size the coop with our coop size calculator and estimate the feed bill with the feed cost calculator.
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