Looking for a friendly and productive egg-laying chicken breed? There is no better option than the Leghorn chicken! These chickens are so popular for their eggs, and you might also have bought their eggs from the market.
Leghorns are a beautiful and entertaining chicken breed that can lay a good number of eggs. You can even start an egg business by starting the farming of these chickens. These chickens don’t lay dark brown eggs like those of Marans chickens, but still their white eggs are quite famous in America and Europe..
History & Origin
Leghorn chickens are famous all around the world, but originally they came from Italy. Although their exact ancestors are still unknown, it is assumed they were created by breeding some varieties of landrace chickens. They originate from the Tuscany region of Italy, but their popularity started after they were first exported to North America in the 1820s courtesy of Captain Gates.
People of America loved these chickens and their white eggs, they gave them the title of brilliant laying hens. The leghorns also got the attention of the United Kingdom and reached there in the late 1860s. From the UK, these birds were further exported to the rest of Europe.
Leghorn Chicken Overview
| Breed | Leghorn Chicken |
| Origin | Italy |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
| Primary Uses | Egg Production |
| Egg color | White |
| Egg Production | 300-320 eggs per year |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Lifespan | 4-6 plus years |
| Temperament | Docile |
| Weight | Hen 5-5.5 pounds | Rooster 6- 6.5 pounds |
| Cold Tolerant | Yes ( Rose-type variety) |
| Heat Tolerant | Yes |
| Noise Level | High |
Leghorn Chicken Varieties
Leghorn is a popular heritage breed that has a variety of features among their different colorations. These are among the first chicken breeds that were recognized by the American Poultry Association in the 1870s. Some rose-type varieties of this breed were also added to this elite list in the 1800s. The APA currently recognizes 12 color varieties of the Leghorn chickens,
- White Leghorns
- Black leghorns
- Columbian leghorns
- Silver Leghorns
- Black-tailed Red
- Buff Columbian
- Light Brown Leghorn
- Dark Brown Leghorn
- Silver leghorn
- Black Buff
- Barred leghorn
Appearance
Leghorn chickens are beautiful birds with an eye-catching personality that can attract chicken enthusiasts. Leghorns have different varieties, so each variety has its own unique appearance and features.
The white leghorn has a classic white appearance, black leghorns have black, while dark and light brown leghorns also have different colors. But some of the feathers are the same in all kinds of leghorns.
Common Features
- Single Rose type comb
- White earlobes
- Red wattles
- Four toes
- Clean legs
- Upright Tail
- Orange or red eyes
Weight
The weight of a chicken can vary, but leghorn chickens are known as medium-sized birds like the Wyandottes. Their weight and size can differ among hens and roosters.
- A rooster of this breed can weigh between 6 – 6.5 pounds.
- The hens can weigh between 5 – 5.5 pounds.
Temperament & behavior
Calm is a word that is usually used to describe the personality and temperament of leghorn hens. They are friendly towards their keeper and other breeds in the flock. They are also beginner-friendly, and you can even play with them.
However, the roosters might create some problems for you in some cases. The roosters like dominance and are protective of their flock. They can attack other roosters and even get aggressive towards new chickens in the flock.
Hardiness
Leghorns are a hardy breed, as they can survive in cold weather, but keep in mind they enjoy a naturally warmer climate. These chickens are heat-tolerant, as their large wattles and comb protect them from heat and cool down the body when exposed to hot air.
It is important to protect your single-comb varieties from frostbite in winter and keep them in a warm place. If the pocket allows you then provide them with a heater or brooder in extremely cold weather.
Moreover, breeders have crossed leghorns with cold hardy breeds to get the rose-type varieties of these chickens. They were successful in the creation of rose-type black, white, red, light, and dark brown colorations of leghorns that were cold hardy in nature.
Noise level
Leghorns are always famous as a vocal and noisy chicken breed. Both the hen and rooster like to make noises during squawking and crowing. So, it’s always recommended to keep them in rural farms instead of populated areas or areas with noise restrictions.
Broodiness
Leghorns are not known as a broody breed, as their hens occasionally go broody. During the brooding period, egg production also stops temporarily, and that’s why their breeders generally don’t prefer them to go broody.
Lifespan
Leghorns are a productive egg-laying breed, so this also affects their lifespan. These chickens tend to live shorter than other breeds because their laying ability also affects their body and reproductive system. On average, Leghorns can live between 4 – 6 years.
Leghorn Chicken Egg and Meat Production
Egg Production
The leghorns are excellent egg layers, and this is also the main reason behind their popularity. The leghorn chicken eggs are large and white. Their hens can lay 4 to 5 eggs per week, and you expect 300 to 320 eggs per year from this breed.
When the leghorn hen starts laying eggs?
Normally a chicken starts laying eggs at the age of between 20 -24 weeks, but leghorns can start laying from the 18th week. The egg production will surely decrease as the hen gets older until she completely stops laying.
Meat Production
Leghorns might be one of the best egg producers, but they aren’t perfect for meat purposes. They are just not large enough to go to the dinner table and feed a family.
Attempts have been made to make them a dual-purpose bird by crossing them with heavier breeds, but the results were just not on the right side.
Health Risks of Leghorn Chicken
Leghorn chickens are a strong breed and don’t get affected by small diseases. However, frostbite is a major concern for their health. They can get frostbite on their comb and wattles, and you have to provide them with a safe and warm house to protect them from the extreme cold of winter.
It is important to give them a surplus amount of calcium and vitamins regularly. Calcium deficiency in an egg layer can result in serious health issues for the hen’s body. Meanwhile, you can add vitamins to their water to avoid any deficiencies.
Always keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t get any general illness by getting affected by parasites.
Housing or Coop setup
Leghorns are not a large-sized breed, so they don’t require a vast space. Generally, a 4 to 6 square-feet coop is enough per chicken. However, you can make a bigger house depending on the land and space you have. The house must be airy for summer and warmer for winter. Placing a 12-inch nesting box is perfect for these birds to comfortably lay their white eggs.
These chickens can bear heat, but in winter they will need some extra accommodation like heaters in the coop to stay warm. This can also protect them from health diseases like frostbites that are always a threat to leghorn chickens.
Pros and Cons of Leghorn Chicken
Like any other chicken breed, leghorn chickens also have some pros and cons that are,
Pros
- High egg production
- Active birds
- Not prone to disease
- Small appetite
- Loves foraging
- Hardy (can tolerate both heat and cold)
Cons
- Noisy birds
- Not good for meat purposes.
- Flighty bird
- Single-comb varieties are prone to frostbite.
- Not children-friendly
- Need vast space for foraging
Conclusion
Leghorns are amazing birds, and they are one of the best breeds for egg production. You can start your own egg business with their eggs. They are very active chickens, and that’s why they are a little bit noisy as well.
Hence, whether you are a newbie or an experienced chicken keeper, leghorn chickens are the ideal pick for you. They will enhance the charm of your chicken flock, and obviously, the egg basket will also stay filled.