Breed Questions: Leghorn.

[BantyChooks]

They start laying earlier than just about everything too. A

Another good point I forgot to mention.

 

[lazy gardener]

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?

I believe the SC white leghorn lives up to that rep. I had a flock of mini Pearls once, (in my early granola years) and they were rated as the best birds available for good feed to egg conversion. The birds IIRC weighed 2.5# and laid huge eggs.

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

I would not recommend the SC leghorn to you b/c of their massive comb. It is prone to frost bite. I have also noted that the SC production white leghorns have a tendency towards aggression. I would not put them in a mixed flock, unless that flock was made up of other "noted for aggression" birds.

In my experience the RC leghorns (I had dark brown) are not quite as good a layer as the white SC. But, they are good layers, and I love the looks of them. I had RCBL chicks from MMc several years ago, and their genetics still run strong in my flock. The RCBL were on the flighty side, excellent layers, not prone to aggression. Simply seemed to "blend in" to the flock. I would recommend the RC leghorn.

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.

RC: Good health, good layers, cold hardy, personality not prone to being human friendly though YMMV, not prone to broodiness.

The only drawback in my opinion is that the single comb varieties are susceptible to frost bite. They can be flighty, but because of this have been more predator elusive than heavier birds.

Agreed on both counts.

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

Check out MMc catalog for pics.

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

Agreed. One of the greatest things about the leghorn (or any white egg layer) is that incubating a white egg is a totally incredibly awesome experience. I swear that when you candle a white egg, you can see the chick's feathers!!! I love, love, love incubating white eggs. May be forced to try some Trader Joe's eggs in the future for funsies.

 

[BantyChooks]

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.

Also agree. No room for the dumb docile breeds here... they're just hawk bait. Even the ducks scoot for cover like greased lighting which is more than you can say for Polish.

 

[BantyChooks]

Agreed. One of the greatest things about the leghorn (or any white egg layer) is that incubating a white egg is a totally incredibly awesome experience. I swear that when you candle a white egg, you can see the chick's feathers!!! I love, love, love incubating white eggs. May be forced to try some Trader Joe's eggs in the future for funsies.

I've seen feet before in white eggs. They sure are real fun to candle.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I'm in Missouri and yes I've always had frostbite issues with the roosters combs. I've gotten used to it but back when I showed it was always my best show prospects that got hit. That sucked.
I don't agree with their production burning out early or causing issues. I've not seen it with mine. I have raised a lot of red sex links and they had those issues regularly.
For what its worth I've had breeder birds and hatchery stock. Hatchery stock always lay better and they act the same. Of course breeder birds come leaps and bounds closer to the SOP.
Never had issues with whites being taken by predators any more then the browns or other varieties. When not breeding mine free range and are not locked up at night. I have whites that are 4 and 5 years old and still around foraging and free ranging.

 

[sourland]

I'm in Missouri and yes I've always had frostbite issues with the roosters combs. I've gotten used to it but back when I showed it was always my best show prospects that got hit. That sucked..

Much to the chagrin of the Princess, I kept my best show roosters in the cellar every winter.
About leghorns as 'meat' birds. As a kid I lived down hill from an egg production farm. They raised their own pullets. They would give my family all of the cockerels, and we would grow them as fryers. "Waste not, want not."

 

[lazy gardener]

Much to the chagrin of the Princess, I kept my best show roosters in the cellar every winter.
About leghorns as 'meat' birds. As a kid I lived down hill from an egg production farm. They raised their own pullets. They would give my family all of the cockerels, and we would grow them as fryers. "Waste not, want not."

The Princess deserves a diamond studded tiarra for that!

 

[sourland]

The Princess deserves a diamond studded tiarra for that!

Among many other things.

 

[lazy gardener]

Um... many other things??? A Carribean cruise, dinner cooked by you, and served by you every night, with a fresh cut rose to accompany it, and a foot massage...

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

I don't own Leghorns, but I have heard that they can be a bit skittish. But I do know that they are GREAT layers of large eggs. Good luck!