Ever Considered Ancona Ducks?

Ever Considered Ancona Ducks? LIVESTOCK Miscellaneous If you raise Ancona ducks Amy McKamey would like your support in her quest to have them officially recognized by the American Poultry Association APA And if you’ve never heard of them McKamey encourages you to consider them “They’re different and they stand out from other breeds of ducks ” she says The white ducks are spotted with one single color - everything from black to silver to lavender McKamey has raised ducks since she was in 4-H She and her husband raise heritage livestock on their Heritage Meadows Farm in Indiana Anconas are among their 5 duck breeds “Ancona is the top seller because they are interesting for people who want backyard birds ” she says “No two are alike so they can distinguish each bird ” Anconas are medium-size ducks They are good egg layers and meat birds and do well in both cold and heat “They are active good foragers and even-tempered ” McKamey says “Ours are on pasture year-round We have shelter for them from the wind but by choice they would rather be outside ” She believes the breed should have official recognition and has begun the lengthy process with the APA starting with Ancona ducks with black spots Research indicates that the breed started in 1913 in the U S Ancona ducks earned two first place awards at a Boston show in 1915 To get APA recognition McKamey has begun the process of setting standards setting up shows and gathering support “I encourage anyone who breeds and shows Anconas to contact me We need to collect many records of these birds at shows to move forward with the next step of the application ” she says acknowledging there are many more steps and years of work to obtain APA recognition Another easy way to support the cause is to join the Facebook group Ancona Ducks The U S breed should be acknowledged she says “Ancona ducks are ideal for homesteading ” she says Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Heritage Meadows Farm 1692 E Co Rd 800 S Clayton Ind 46118 ph 317 539-2489; www heritagemeadowsfarm net; amy@heritagemeadowsfarm net; Facebook - Ancona ducks

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