Are Non-White Leghorns Cold Hardy?

[Blackberry18]

Many things I've read list Leghorns as not cold hardy. I have White Leghorns, and live in Minnesota, and they do fine. They don't lay much during the winter, like most breeds, though. My Pet Chicken, however, lists White Leghorns as cold hardy, but non-white varieties as not. I want to purchase Light Brown Leghorns next year, so am wondering if anyone knows or have had experience, with non-white Leghorns as being cold hardy. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The main concern with them and cold hardiness is the amount of comb they (all varieties) tend to have which leaves them more at risk of frost bite, especially if kept in a poorly ventilated coop which would lead to a high humidity coupled with cold temperatures. As you have already had luck managing your WL in your setting, I would not expect to have any different results managing other color varieties.

 

[Michael OShay]

Non-white Leghorns are no more cold hardy than White Leghorns. As Ol Grey Mare indicated, the large combs of all Leghorns are very subject to very serious frostbite in really cold weather.

 

[Blackberry18]

Thanks Michael OShay and Ol Grey Mare. I put Vaseline on my Leghorns combs, so they never get frostbit.

 

[Michael OShay]

Thanks Michael OShay and Ol Grey Mare. I put Vaseline on my Leghorns combs, so they never get frostbit.

You're welcome. I'm glad to hear that Vaseline actually works well for you. While it has worked to some degree for me in the past, I have had mixed success with it in really cold temperatures.