A lot of people know about leghorns because they are used in commercial egg farms, but are they good for a backyard flock? Read this breed deep dive to find out more!
The first thing that may come to mind when you think of the leghorn chicken is the commercial egg industry. Because this breed lays such great eggs, leghorns are often chosen when a lot of white eggs need to be made. However, there is so much more to the leghorn chicken than just eggs! These quirky birds have traits that make them self-sufficient, independent, and smart. Find out if leghorns would be a good fit for your backyard flock!.
Leghorns are a medium size chicken originating from Italy. They were first recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1874 and were placed in the Mediterranean breed class. A standard size leghorn cock weighs around 6 lbs. and a standard size hen weighs about 4. 5 lbs. A bantam variety is also recognized in the single comb, clean legged bantam class or the rose comb, clean legged bantam class. Bantam leghorn cocks weigh about 26 oz. and bantam hens weigh about 22 oz.
Different strains of leghorns can be classified as either industrial or heritage. A type of white leghorn that has been bred to work in the commercial egg business is called an industrial leghorn. However, industrial strain white leghorns have also become popular as a breed for backyards because they lay great eggs. Heritage leghorns are closer to their original ancestors and can be any of the recognized breed varieties including white. They are still excellent egg layers and tend to be hardier than industrial leghorns.
Leghorns are commonly recognized in their white variety by their characteristic pure white feathers and bright red comb. All leghorns have bright red, single combs that are medium to large in size. A leghorn’s comb should have 5 distinct points. In cocks, all 5 points should stand upright. In hens, the first point should be upright, and the remaining points should droop to one side, called a lopped comb. Leghorns also come in a rose comb variety. Rose comb leghorns should have a bright red rose comb that is medium in size. The rose comb should have a square front ending with a well-developed spike off the back.
A leghorn’s wattles should also be bright red and should be medium to large in size. Their earlobes should be oval and white in most leghorn varieties. A leghorn’s eyes are a deep reddish in color and the beak, shanks, and toes should be yellow in most varieties. Leghorns are a 4-toed, clean legged chicken breed.
Leghorns have been recognized in many different color varieties. Barred, black, buff, buff Columbian, Columbian, dark brown, exchequer, light brown, silver, and white are recognized varieties in both single comb leghorns and rose comb leghorns. Additionally, single comb leghorns are recognized in black-tailed red, blue, golden, mille fleur, and red varieties. Rose comb leghorns are recognized in the Dominique variety as well.
One of the leghorns best known traits is its reputation as a superb egg producer. Leghorns are known to produce well over 300 eggs per year, with many hens laying nearly an egg a day for the first 2 years of their life. Industrial strain leghorns can average about 6 eggs a week and heritage leghorns will lay around 4-5 eggs a week.
Since the white leghorn variety has been developed as an industrial variety, they are known to be the best egg producing variety of the leghorn breed. However, all varieties will lay large, white eggs regularly. Since the leghorn was developed for the main purpose of egg production, the hens will rarely go broody. They tend to start laying around 18-20 weeks of age and will take a break around 1.5-2 years of age for their first annual molt.
Leghorns are not only popular because of their reliability, but they are also known to have one of the best feed-to-egg conversion ratios. Meaning, they eat less feed than other chicken breeds in comparison to how many eggs they produce. This makes them an efficient and economical breed to raise for eggs. Even the bantam leghorns have a reputation as being the best layers of any bantam breed.
Leghorns are both heat tolerant and cold hardy to a certain degree. Since they were developed in a more temperate region (Italy), they are more heat tolerant than they are cold hardy. With their small body size, clean legs, and large comb and wattles, leghorns are less prone to heat stress and heat-related issues. Their large combs and wattles help with thermoregulation and expel excess body heat during hot weather.
Single comb leghorns are not as cold hardy as rose comb leghorns. Their large, single combs are more prone to frostbite during cold weather, whereas rose comb leghorns have short, blunt combs that don’t get frostbite as easily. Despite their proneness to frostbite, leghorns are still good wintertime layers. They will often lay well for their first or second winter and will continue to lay well if provided with supplemental light during the shorter winter days.
Leghorns adapt better to warm climates than they do to cold climates. However, you can take some measures to help leghorns adapt to cold weather if you live in a northern region. Winterizing the coop and taking frostbite preventative measures are important when raising leghorns in northern regions. They need protection from exposure to winter weather and wind chill, which will help prevent frostbite and help them conserve body heat. A properly ventilated coop with an insulating litter can also help leghorns adapt to cold weather.
The Leghorn chicken breed is one of the most popular and prolific egg laying chickens in the world Distinguished by their white plumage, big combs, and excellent laying abilities, Leghorns have a long history as a farmstead chicken
In this complete guide, we will cover everything you need to know about Leghorns including their history, appearance, egg laying abilities, personality and temperament, care requirements, and common health issues. Whether you are new to raising chickens or a seasoned pro, this article will provide key insights into this remarkable breed.
A Brief History of Leghorns
The origin of Leghorns is somewhat obscure, but they likely descended from landrace chickens in rural Tuscany, Italy. The breed takes its name from the port city of Livorno, which was anglicized to Leghorn.
Leghorns first arrived in North America in 1828 when birds were exported from Livorno. They quickly became popular for their prodigious egg laying. By 1867 Leghorns were included in the American Poultry Association’s Book of Standards.
Initially Leghorns only came in white and brown varieties. Through breeding, more color varieties have come about over the years, such as buff black, red, and silver. Leghorns are still mostly white, but other colors are also kept.
Through selective breeding, Leghorns have become the egg laying superstars we know today. Their high productivity made them a mainstay of commercial egg operations. They also earned a place in many backyard coops and small farms.
Leghorn Chicken Appearance and Breed Standard
Leghorns look very different from other breeds because of their unique look. The Single Comb White Leghorn is the most popular type. It is all white with bright red combs and wattles.
There are also brown, buff, silver, black, and red Leghorn breeds. All have yellow legs and white earlobes.
The American Poultry Association says that Leghorns should have a medium-sized flat single comb with five to six points. Their comb helps dissipate heat.
Leghorns have a long, broad back and a moderately deep and full breast. Their tails are carried at a 45 degree angle from the body. Overall, they have a narrow and angular profile giving them a very alert and active carriage.
Standard size Leghorns are relatively small chickens. Hens weigh around 5.5 pounds and roosters around 6.5 pounds. This compact size adds to their high energy and proficient foraging abilities.
Egg Laying Abilities of Leghorn Chickens
Without a doubt, the main claim to fame for Leghorns is their exceptional egg laying performance. On average, Leghorns lay up to 280 eggs per year! That’s 4-5 eggs per week.
The Single Comb White Leghorn in particular is the elite egg layer of the breed. Starting at around 18 weeks old, Leghorn pullets quickly ramp up production. They continue laying consistently well into their second and third years.
Not only are Leghorns prolific layers, but their eggs are large and white. The average weight is over 55 grams. Many hens lay even bigger eggs over 60 grams.
While most chickens stop laying in winter, Leghorns tend to keep producing even when it’s cold out. This makes them ideal for egg farmers wanting a reliable source of eggs no matter the season.
If you are looking to hatch chickens, Leghorns hens make poor broodies and will rarely go sit on eggs. But for maximizing egg harvest, Leghorns are tough to beat.
Personality and Temperament of Leghorn Chickens
Leghorns are active, energetic chickens that love to roam and forage. They are excellent flyers able to clear high fences with ease.
When allowed to free range, Leghorns eagerly cover ground scratching up grass, seeds, and insects. This helps reduce their feed costs while keeping them happily occupied.
Compared to other breeds, Leghorns are more independent minded and prefer to keep to themselves. They do not particularly enjoy being handled or petted. Consider them more as a working chicken than a cuddly pet.
That being said, Leghorns aren’t aggressive birds. They integrate well into a mixed flock as long as they have enough space. Extra care should be taken when introducing Leghorn pullets as they can be quite rowdy.
While skittish around humans, Leghorns bond well with their keepers over time. Roosters in particular are vigilant watch birds that loyally guard their hens.
Ideal Living Conditions for Leghorns
As active birds that love to forage, Leghorns thrive in free range settings with plenty of space to roam. They do well in both cold and hot climates. However, their large combs are prone to frostbite in extreme cold.
Leghorns are noisy chickens that are talkative and make loud egg laying cackles. This can annoy close neighbors, so they are better suited to rural or semi-rural locations.
Each Leghorn hen should have a minimum of 2-3 square feet of coop space. Outdoor runs should provide at least 8-10 square feet per bird. Roosting bars and nest boxes need to be sized appropriately for their small stature.
While Leghorns can be kept confined if needed, they will be most active and lay best when allowed to free range often. Portable tractors or rotational grazing works well for them.
Provide a high quality 16% protein layer feed along with supplements like oyster shell for calcium. During molting, increase protein to 20% to support new feather growth.
Common Health Issues in Leghorns
Leghorns are generally hardy and not prone to many health problems. However, you should still keep an eye out for common poultry issues like:
- Parasites – worms, lice, mites
- Respiratory illnesses
- Frostbite on combs/wattles
- Egg binding in mature hens
Good coop sanitation and ventilation along with access to clean water, quality feed, and supplements helps keep Leghorns in top condition. Quickly address any emerging health issues as well.
With proper care, Leghorns commonly live 5+ years but can reach 10 years or longer in ideal circumstances.
Is the Leghorn Right for You?
Leghorn chickens can make excellent additions to both small backyard flocks and larger scale egg production set ups. Their high productivity, energy, hardiness, and foraging abilities are big advantages.
However, Leghorns are not really suitable for families with young children or those desiring cuddly lap chickens. And their sometimes noisy chatter may not work well in suburban areas.
For the right owner willing to provide adequate space and tolerate some quirks, the Leghorn can be a remarkably self-sufficient and low maintenance chicken. Their laying abilities are almost unrivaled in the poultry world.
So if you are looking for a steady supply of large white eggs, the Leghorn should definitely be on your list to consider. When properly cared for, they will reward you handsomely!
White vs Brown Leghorns
Two of the most common varieties of leghorns are the white leghorn and the brown leghorn. There are both light brown and dark brown leghorns, which are two separate varieties with different appearances.
White leghorns have pure white plumage with bright red combs and wattles. They have white earlobes and yellow beaks, shanks, and toes.
Light brown leghorns have orange/golden/yellow head and hackle (neck) feathers with black highlights. The plumage on the front of the neck is black in cocks and salmon in hens. The rest of the body plumage is dark brown to black with a black tail. Cocks have orange red to golden colored wings with black highlights.
Dark brown leghorns have a deep, reddish brown plumage color with black highlights and a greenish sheen to their feathers.
White leghorns, light brown leghorns, and dark brown leghorns all have similar temperament traits. They are all independent and active, but can be friendly and docile when handled from a young age. The main differences in these varieties is when it comes to egg production. Since many white leghorns have been bred for the commercial egg industry, they tend to be the better egg producers of any of the leghorn varieties. Light brown and dark brown leghorns are considered heritage varieties of the leghorn breed. They are often harder to find and source than white leghorns. While light and dark brown leghorns may not out lay a white leghorn, they are still excellent egg producers and tend to be hardier with a longer laying life than white leghorns.
Caring for Leghorn Chickens
Caring for leghorns doesn’t vary much from caring for other chicken breeds. Leghorn chicks need a safe brooder to be raised in for the first 4-5 weeks of their life. The brooder should be well-ventilated and have enough space to accommodate the chicks as they grow. There should be an extra source of heat in the brooder, like a heat lamp or a radiant heater. The brooder litter should be soft and absorbent. Low perches can be introduced after the chicks are 4 weeks old to prevent any cases of bumblefoot from roosting at too young of an age.
The brooder should be cleaned regularly to prevent the litter from becoming too saturated and to help control ammonia fumes and harmful pathogens. You will need to increase the brooder size as the chicks grow. Leghorn chicks will need their supplemental heat source for at least the first 4 weeks of their life. Once the leghorn chicks are fully feathered, they should no longer need the supplemental heat. Young leghorns can stay outside in a safe coop once they are fully feathered, and the temperatures remain consistently above 55°F.
Leghorn chicks should be fed chick starter feed that contains between 18-20% protein. They can stay on starter feed up until they are 18-20 weeks old, then they should be switched to layer feed. You can choose to use a grower feed after the chicks are 6-8 weeks old. Grower feed is lower in protein so it is often less expensive than starter feed. When making feed switches, make the switch gradually to avoid causing any digestive upset that can occur from a sudden change in protein levels.
Leghorn chicks can be fed healthy snacks in moderation. Starting off, feed them healthy, natural foods like chopped oats, scrambled eggs, or crushed grubs. Small snacks should be given out in small amounts and with small pieces so that little beaks can easily eat them. Forage and leafy greens can also be introduced into their diet starting at a young age. Make sure you supply chick grit for young leghorn chicks whenever you are feeding them anything other than chick starter feed.
WHITE LEGHORNS: All You Need To Know About These Chickens
FAQ
What are Leghorn chickens known for?
Leghorns are a popular chicken breed worldwide, known for their egg laying and white feathers. They are a hardy breed and are highly efficient in foraging for food. They are not ideal family pets as they are not particularly friendly and don’t enjoy being handled.
What are the disadvantages of Leghorn chickens?
Weaknesses: Because of its lightness, the leghorn is not considered a viable meat producer. They also tend to avoid human contact and are nervous and flighty. Strengths: Barred Rocks are large, long-lived chickens. Some varieties are good layers while others are bred principally for meat.
What color eggs do Leghorn chickens lay?
Leghorn chickens, regardless of their plumage color (white, brown, etc.), lay white eggs.