Breed Questions: Leghorn.

[MagpieDucks]

There's a rose comb variety, yes? Brown?

I have my SOP right here!

SC=Single Comb RC=Rosecomb

SC Black
SC Dark Brown
SC Light Brown
SC White
SC Buff
SC Silver
SC Red
SC Columbian
SC Golden
SC Black Tailed Red
RC Dark Brown
RC Light Brown
RC White
RC Black
RC Buff
RC Golden

These are all APA recognized varieties. Non-Recognized ones include: Isabelle, Exchequer etc. etc.

 

[The Angry Hen]

I'd be remiss if I did not mention that some of the most human aggressive roosters that I have ever met have been white leghorns.

Yes, I accept and understand that even the best rated breeds are most likely to have a few means ones... I've had that issue many times before. In my opinion...Temperament is one of the hardest types of chicken math. It's a mystery extremely hard and nearly impossible to figure out. But each recommendation and opinion is what I am looking for! So, thank you!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

@The Angry Hen

I concur with what has been said about commercially bred White Leghorn layers.

They are laying machines, for the first 2 years, and then generally beset with problems which the commercial industry avoids by culling at 2.

They tend to be flighty and cantankerous in my experience, but that was a while ago.

I would not want to breed those big floppy combs in Maine, I would definitely go to the rosecomb variety.

I would also get my starter flock from a reputable breeder. I would go towards the Brown Leghorn or Red or even some of the fun pattern like Exchequeur....that gives you color pattern OPTIONS!

Well bred breeder quality Leghorns will still be better layers without the nasties of the commercial lines, which sadly are bred almost solely for quick production. I'd stay away from the production lines.

And unless you want white birds, I'd not breed from the dominant white of the White Leghorn...I personally like variety and color in my flock, but further, that white is a predator draw in my area. Hawks do pick off my lighter colored birds.

You won't get meat off a Leghorn, but if you want pretty, and prolific, you can't beat one.

to show you the variety of all those pretty colors OTHER than white...
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Leghorns/BRKLeghorns.html

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

...and to add to the fun with the Leghorn

Sapphires are White Leghorn crossed with Cream Legbar for prolific light blue egg layers.

But you can have more feather fun by taking a Brown Leghorn rooster bred to a Cream Legbar hen...you get sex linking (f1) and pretty light blue eggs.

LofMc

 

[The Angry Hen]

Color-wise, I like the red. But since you just brought the comb size to mind... In Maine I agree it's best to have the rose comb. Thank you for the link and for your opinions and reviews.

 

[The Angry Hen]

...and to add to the fun with the Leghorn

Sapphires are White Leghorn crossed with Cream Legbar for prolific light blue egg layers.

But you can have more feather fun by taking a Brown Leghorn rooster bred to a Cream Legbar hen...you get sex linking (f1) and pretty light blue eggs.

LofMc

Thank you very much! I really like to tips! I'll be sure to keep them in mind.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Good luck with your future plans.

A good quality, well bred Leghorn, would be a financially viable bird. There is definitely room for more of them.

LofMc

 

[BantyChooks]

You had me at neurotic.

Thank you so much for all this helpful info, I really do appreciate your review on them. After hearing the info you have to say, I am actually leaning towards them more than the Sussex I have. (My Sussex are Neurotic but snooty).

I'd be leaning towards the white variety if I got them.

-Angry Hen

I have my SOP right here!

SC=Single Comb RC=Rosecomb

SC Black
SC Dark Brown
SC Light Brown
SC White
SC Buff
SC Silver
SC Red
SC Columbian
SC Golden
SC Black Tailed Red
RC Dark Brown
RC Light Brown
RC White
RC Black
RC Buff
RC Golden

These are all APA recognized varieties. Non-Recognized ones include: Isabelle, Exchequer etc. etc.

Thank you!

Color-wise, I like the red. But since you just brought the comb size to mind... In Maine I agree it's best to have the rose comb. Thank you for the link and for your opinions and reviews.

I live up north. Zero frost bite on hens & should not be any unless your management is flawed. Roosters are another story.

 

[BantyChooks]

Another part of the flighty temperament is fantastic range ability. They've never been taken by a hawk, and they are good at finding food for themselves. If I lived in a more southern area like MO/WVish I'd probably make them my main breed. Really great utility birds.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I've got a few leghorns.
My all time favorite breed. Production strains and average strains out lay everything. Show strains and rare varieties don't lay quite as well as the average ones but I'd still put them up against the best layer breeds.
They start laying earlier than just about everything too. Also as mentioned eat less then average layers.
Another plus is they can be sexed earlier then a lot of breeds. Broody... No. I've never had a broody leghorn although I've heard stories.
Flighty and crazy.... That's all perspective. One mans flighty is another's awareness and predator savy. They are flyers. I've got to clip both wings to nothing or they get out of 6' fencing. Fast? Heck yes. You've got to be in top shape if you plan on running one down in open terrain.
Agressive, bullies... Not in my opinion. I've never had a mean or aggressive one. Not even the roosters. It always amazes me when people say the roosters are mean. I've had breeding pens set up numerous times with two roosters together and they get along and do their job.
A couple negatives that don't effect me is that if you want a breed for eating leghorns don't fit that bill. They grow fast but not much meat to them. Another thing I found in my area at least is the dang white eggs. People here want brown eggs and brown egg layers. Brown eggs equal farm fresh eggs to most around here. I don't get it myself but white eggs don't sell like brown eggs do.
I could talk leghorns all day but I'll stop for now because I'm rambling.