The Ancona is a breed of chicken which originated in the Marches, region of Italy, but which was bred to its present type mainly in the United Kingdom in the nineteenth century.

It is popular in Britain and the United States, but uncommon in Italy; an initiative to re-establish it in its native area and preserve its biodiversity was launched in 2000.

[5] The first Ancona chickens were imported into England in 1851,[6] and selectively bred there for regularity and consistency of the white markings in the plumage.

[5] In the United States, the single-comb Ancona was recognised by the American Poultry Association in 1898, and the rose-comb bird in 1914.

The comb is of medium size, with five well-marked points; in hens it should fall gracefully to one side.