Breed Questions: Leghorn.

[The Angry Hen]

Hello everybody,

Good evening! How are you all today? The winter is coming... And for some it came! We just got about a quarter inch of snow today- not much- but something that signifies winter!

Anyhow, to retrace back on topic... I don't own any, whatsoever any, Leghorn's. And I honestly have no clue what they're like! I mean, they seem popular and well-liked... But I've been wondering.

Right now I am in no state of getting more birds. (Blah, blah, blah. Same old stuff). But in the far future; I'd like to consider owning Leghorn's in particular.

You see, right now I share a flock with my family. I absolutely love our flock. Wouldn't trade them for the world! (To state it correctly, we have multiple flocks). But since I share them with my family, it's not my 100% call when it comes to breeding or adding... But I'd like to breed sometime.

When I have a breeding stock someday... It won't be professional, just for "experiment" with eggs, color, temperament, genetics, etc. I really like mystery and I enjoy breeding.

So when I go to create that flock- I've considered using Leghorns. May you please comment below if you've had any experience with the breed? And if so, mind answering some questions?

I appreciate your viewing of this thread and your time greatly! This is not urgent by any means, just something floating around in my crazy mind... Thank you! Have a nice evening and God bless.

Sincerely,
-The Angry Hen

 

[BantyChooks]

I own Leghorns. I don't breed them, they're just 2 yr layers for me. What are you looking for in terms of information?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Leghorns are finicky. They're very, very good layers of large white eggs, which means that their internals break down quickly. They're also flighty, bullying, and have a tendency to jump the fence during harvest time--tomato eaters one and all. The roosters are said to be aggressive.

Leghorns are my favorite breed of rooster, but I dislike the hens and would far rather keep Production reds--which are bold, and have bags of personality and also lay well. Still, we do keep some Leghorn hens because they're very good layers.

 

[MagpieDucks]

Hello everybody,

Good evening! How are you all today? The winter is coming... And for some it came! We just got about a quarter inch of snow today- not much- but something that signifies winter!

Anyhow, to retrace back on topic... I don't own any, whatsoever any, Leghorn's. And I honestly have no clue what they're like! I mean, they seem popular and well-liked... But I've been wondering.

Right now I am in no state of getting more birds. (Blah, blah, blah. Same old stuff). But in the far future; I'd like to consider owning Leghorn's in particular.

You see, right now I share a flock with my family. I absolutely love our flock. Wouldn't trade them for the world! (To state it correctly, we have multiple flocks). But since I share them with my family, it's not my 100% call when it comes to breeding or adding... But I'd like to breed sometime.

When I have a breeding stock someday... It won't be professional, just for "experiment" with eggs, color, temperament, genetics, etc. I really like mystery and I enjoy breeding.

So when I go to create that flock- I've considered using Leghorns. May you please comment below if you've had any experience with the breed? And if so, mind answering some questions?

I appreciate your viewing of this thread and your time greatly! This is not urgent by any means, just something floating around in my crazy mind... Thank you! Have a nice evening and God bless.

Sincerely,
-The Angry Hen

Hello! As far as personality goes, I am not a huge fan of them. I prefer California Whites, which are a hybrid, and lay around the same amount of eggs. The one downside is that they don't come in as wide an array of colors. As with both breeds their combs are prone to frostbite, and they seem to be on the bottom of the pecking order.

Do a quick search on here the web, and you'll find something!

Have a good night!

 

[Hoosiercluck]

I have a small multi-breed flock, getting them solely on egg production, friendliness, and cold hardy. I have one white Leghorn and I love, love, love her. She is the best chicken (super friendly, will sit on my knee if I let her)large white eggs near daily, and good in the winter weather. Leghorns, yes!

 

[Hoosiercluck]

PS She is top chicken, but not a bully. The other chickens have accepted her position and I don't see her hardly ever fighting. Chicken order established early I guess.

 

[The Angry Hen]

I own Leghorns. I don't breed them, they're just 2 yr layers for me. What are you looking for in terms of information?

Hello, thank you for the quick response! I am mostly wondering things like the following:

They are rated as an amazing layer breed, as good as the best egg-laying hens, if not better. Do you think this rating/statement is well put and that the breed looks up to it?

If I was interested into buying this particular breed, would you suggest them to me? And why?

I'd be looking for a reasonable layer that isn't over-broody, but frequently. I'd want them cold hardy, which I am unsure if they are. The basics I'm wondering is; health, egg production, personality, etc.

Leghorns are finicky. They're very, very good layers of large white eggs, which means that their internals break down quickly. They're also flighty, bullying, and have a tendency to jump the fence during harvest time--tomato eaters one and all. The roosters are said to be aggressive.

Leghorns are my favorite breed of rooster, but I dislike the hens and would far rather keep Production reds--which are bold, and have bags of personality and also lay well. Still, we do keep some Leghorn hens because they're very good layers.

Thanks for responding! Hm... I don't like the sound that they're finicky. I'm okay if they are a little bit on the bold side... But I don't want overly aggressive and nasty.

Hello! As far as personality goes, I am not a huge fan of them. I prefer California Whites, which are a hybrid, and lay around the same amount of eggs. The one downside is that they don't come in as wide an array of colors. As with both breeds their combs are prone to frostbite, and they seem to be on the bottom of the pecking order.

Do a quick search on here the web, and you'll find something!

Have a good night!

Hello Tim! Thank you for responding.

I will have to do some research on California whites. Thank you for your review and opinions! I appreciate it greatly.

I will keep an eye out and do some more research.

Thanks. You too!

-The Angry Hen (Kaitlyn).

 

[The Angry Hen]

I have a small multi-breed flock, getting them solely on egg production, friendliness, and cold hardy. I have one white Leghorn and I love, love, love her. She is the best chicken (super friendly, will sit on my knee if I let her)large white eggs near daily, and good in the winter weather. Leghorns, yes!

PS She is top chicken, but not a bully. The other chickens have accepted her position and I don't see her hardly ever fighting. Chicken order established early I guess.

Thank you! I appreciate your review on the breed. That sounds good. Glad you've done well with your Leghorn, that is good news to hear.

-The Angry Hen

 

[Hoosiercluck]

Cold hardy, yes. I got mine for the same reason. Broody, no. The breed as a whole is not known for broody I believe.

 

[BantyChooks]

Hello, thank you for the quick response! I am mostly wondering things like the following:

They are rated as an amazing layer breed, as good as the best egg-laying hens, if not better. Do you think this rating/statement is well put and that the breed looks up to it?

If I was interested into buying this particular breed, would you suggest them to me? And why?

I'd be looking for a reasonable layer that isn't over-broody, but frequently. I'd want them cold hardy, which I am unsure if they are. The basics I'm wondering is; health, egg production, personality, etc.

Absolutely. They're better layers than sexlinks and on less feed too. I am getting 3--4 eggs a day from 4 pullets even in this frigid weather. In summer I get 4/4. They lay for longer than many of the other production breeds.

Leghorns don't go broody much at all. They're hardy, healthy, and hens don't get frostbite if you keep them right. Even in -40*C weather.

As for temperament, if you don't handle them they are nutty, crazy, and the most neurotic birds you'll ever see. However, with a bit of care and work, they can be lovely birds that are quick to learn and follow you everywhere. It doesn't require much, just keep touching them and they calm quickly. They're pretty sharp sticks, even if a bit flighty. I have one hen that will fly up on scaffolding to "help" me whilst I'm painting and will generally get into anything I'm doing. I haven't owned any males of that breed, so I can't say on them.

Overall, if you just want layers, they would be my first recommendation. They get along well with flockmates and are quite pretty to look at.

Edit: The birds I am describing are White Leghorns. I do not own the Brown variety.