The leghorn chicken is a breed that is developed in the country of Italy. These fowls were initially called Italians. But, later in 1865, this breed was recognized as Leghorn.
The White Leghorn chickens are very adorable and are good for farming.
Many farmers intend to keep adding this breed in their farming areas to gain the benefits, as Leghorn chickens are good layers of white large size eggs.
Read about chickens that lay colored eggs.
A Leghorn hen can lay eggs up to 280 annually with a weight of 55gm. So, this is very beneficial for farmers. Farmers who are interested can buy leghorn chicks. Read here about chickens that lay lots of eggs.
Here, you will get to know the basics about the complete breed guide of Leghorn Chickens, their history, varieties, egg production, temperament, appearance, benefits, and problems.
Introduction on Leghorn chicken
In this fowl world, a chicken breed is introduced known as Leghorn chickens. These chickens are very popular among agriculturalists for their stunning egg-laying tradition, along with their approachable nature.
The White Leghorn hens are so productive and known for being marvelous egg-laying hens. This breed is useful, among others, and these factors can’t be denied as they are friendly along with huge egg output. These breeds are as good as other breeds among chickens.
History of Leghorn chickens
The leghorn chickens were first found in Italy. It is believed that they were seen in rural Tuscany. This name is adopted, and for the first time, they were exported to North America.
Some called them Italians because of their origin. In 1865, this breed was named Leghorns.
American Standard of Perfection included the Leghorn chickens in 1874. Some other varieties of this breed, such as silver leghorns and single comb buff leghorn chicken, were included in 1894.
Lifespan of Leghorn Chickens
The lifespan of a Leghorn chicken is around 5-6 years. Leghorn chickens are very strong but the egg-laying nature and their characteristics provide them an average life expectancy.
Leghorn Chickens Recognized Varieties
There are a few different Leghorn chickens recognized varieties such as white, red, black-tailed red, light brown, dark brown, black-buff, Columbian, buff, Columbian, silver, and barred.
The Leghorn chicken recognized varieties diversity helps the farmers to keep any of them as per their choice. Their productivity is the same; the only change is in their color. You can choose the color as per your desire.
Farmers can add beautiful Leghorn chicks to their flock to make it more attractive and productive, as per their requirements.
Egg Production
This is a vital fact when we discuss the egg-laying capacity of Leghorn hens. The Leghorn hens can lay from 280 to 320 eggs annually.
White Leghorn hens lay large to extra-large size white color eggs which weigh around 55-60 gms. Initially, the females start laying medium size eggs but with age, the size of the eggs increases to extra-large.
Also, these hens are wonderful hatchers, and they grow fast. They make great mothers and are friendly and calm in nature.
Temperament
These leghorn fouls are intelligent and resourceful birds. They do search for their food when the farmers allow them to roam around.
The activeness of these chickens can please you. They also love to fly and roost in trees if allowed. This breed is not good for an urban backyard, as these birds are a bit noisy.
Leghorn chickens are very friendly and become great pets. They love to learn with treats.
Color, Size, Appearance, Characteristics of Leghorn chicken
Color
We find some continental breeds of Leghorn chickens. We can find such types of colors as white, red, black-tailed red, deep brown, light brown, black buff, buff, Columbian, silver, Columbian, and barred.
Size
As per the British standard, a mature Leghorn rooster weighs 3.4kg (7.5lgs), and a mature hen’s weights are 2.5 kg. The weight of cockerels is around 2.7 – 2.95 kg and pullets 2 – 2.25 kg.
When it comes to bantams, the maximum weight is 1020 g for roosters and hens for 910 g. The ring size of the cocks is 18mm, and for hens, it is 16mm.
Appearance
The leghorns are the kind of birds that are small and noisy birds with fabulous style. These fowls love to roam around in your courtyard. In this bird, you must notice a red color in their eyes and yellow color in their legs.
The roosters are bulky as compared to hens. The leghorn hens also love to hatch. You must find them a pleasant shelter if you want to add some members to your coop.
Leghorn chickens have huge floppy red color single and rose comb. They have large size red color wattles and white earlobes.
Characteristics
Overall Leghorn chickens have a great personality to connect with and are likely to cuddle with humans. They also lay a good amount of white color eggs.
They live comfortably inside a coop and also love to free-range in backyard farms.
But these birds are not for urban courtyard as they make the surroundings quite noisy. These breeds mature faster than the other breeds.
The meat products from this breed are not that sufficient, but it is good for egg production, and also, the hens of the Leghorn breed are fabulous hatchers.
Leghorn roosters are a little aggressive. They only show their aggression when some other roosters come near their flocks. In my case, my Leghorn rooster was very aggressive. He run and peck on my neighbor when they come to our home.
Benefits of Raising this Breed with Facts
- This breed of chickens is very cute, and the leghorn chicks are also exquisite. You can keep them in your coop to make it more astonished.
- They are the best layers. The hens love to hatch eggs, and, in this time, they require a suitable space in your courtyard to hatch their eggs. Further, you can create a good portable chicken coop for them for their residence.
- The behavior of this breed’s chickens is very calm and cool. They enjoy human company, and they can add a good vibe in your mind. My Leghorn chicken love to sleep on my legs and peck cabbage from my hand.
- They also consume very little food. So, expenditure on buying foods for your flocks may be lesser when you add some of these leghorn birds in them.
- The vital fact about this breed is they grow so fast. The quickest maturity of these chickens draws the attention of farmers.
- This is an excellent friendly egg laying chicken.
Problems in Raising Leghorn Chickens
- Many people don’t get to expect too much for meat production. These fowls are not satisfied with massive meat production.
- Sometimes their temperament swings. They turn curious and flighty, depending upon their mood.
- These flocks are very noisy. You can’t tolerate them for a long time. As per the experts’ suggestions, you can keep them if your farm is far from your house.
Also read: How to Clip Chicken Wings? — To Stop Their Flying
Care Guide for White Leghorn Chickens
The leghorn birds raising is not that difficult. The farmers can easily add them to their flock so they can avail of the large production eggs; however, this breed is not good for meat. There are some key points discussed below raising Leghorn chickens.
Manage your Leghorn chicks
Farmers need to, buy the chicks from a supply store or an independent breeder. Here, it would help if you were particular about your chicks. If you want to buy white leghorn chicks, remember that they are much different and less productive egg layers.
You need to keep the chicks in a large storage bin or wire cage with a heat lamp. Further, it would be helpful if you keep some softwood shavings for the initial eight weeks. There is an additional wood that shavings help the chicks to grow and develop feathers.
Manage your house for the Leghorns
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Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You need to make space up to 3 square feet per chicken. Because the hens lay eggs when they turn 20 weeks older.
That is why large doors for smooth access to the chicken house are required. You need to place the nets on the top of their house to save the chicks and hens from predators.
The requirement of food and water
A perfect diet is required for the hens during their egg-laying period. As the egg-laying procedure starts from their 20th week, they require a lot of attention if the breeder wants to increase the flocks.
You need to give access to food all the time. Water plays a crucial role among chicks. That’s why fresh water should be available in the hatching house.
The collection of eggs
As this breed is a huge producer of eggs, a farmer must consider collecting the eggs safely. If the breeder needs to add some members to the flock, it must be his solemn duty to keep in mind that a special place should be built for hatching these eggs.
In that house, light must be provided. The fourteen hours of light is necessary for creating an egg-laying, hatching house.
Conclusion
Those who wish to buy Leghorn chicken can get it from a domain breeder. As we mentioned earlier, this fowl breed is very fond of egg-laying.
The massive egg-laying capacity makes Leghorn chicken an exceptional attraction for farmers. It is effortless to find Leghorn chicks near your location.
There are so many choices obtainable for those who are eager to sell this breed. Many farming companies keep Leghorn chicken.
Leghorn chicken breed is the best helpful possibility for farmers in terms of the egg production business. However, its few motherhood, friendly and calm personality makes them extra points to keep.
