Brown Leghorns: Pics, Info, and Resources

[ShrekDawg]

Now I do have another question for you all....

How do you keep your birds white?

I have an Easter Egger that started as pure white with black lacing and then she started turning creamish and now at 2 1/2 years old, she's almost totally cream/dark tan :/

I did give them corn a lot when they were younger though and in the winter when it's cold so would that do it?

I know corn can make them turn yellow but I didn't think it would turn them completely cream? Is it normal for white birds to turn cream/tan as they age or can I prevent this somehow? I also have a Barred Rock and she has not turned cream. Just Diva.

I wouldn't mind it as much if she was pure cream but it's kinda splotchy/blended weird and she just looks dirty but she's not. At least I don't think. And the black against the white was so stunning.

 

[Alaskan]

I was experimenting with my Rhode Island Whites a few years ago and I got the same coloring.View attachment 1375942

so, what was the cross??

I haven't had any health issues with my birds but production and those from breeders are different. My Single Comb White cock recently got a reserve champion at a show.
View attachment 1375976

Do you mean you have had production whites and had zero health issues with them?

I know the production reds and sexlinks can burn out and get a lot of reproductive issues at around 2 or sooner, like prolapses and such, because they lay so much. Is it the same with leghorns? Or worse?

I would guess about the same. .. but I don't think I have had production reds or sexlinks ... can't remember at the moment.

The hatchery production white leghorns that I had just had problems. They would on occasion get vent gleet, even though no one else in the flock did. I know one got prolapse (the only prolapse I have ever had). Now I can't remember what the others died of... but it was illness not predation. I had only started with 5 girls, only one made it to 3 years of age.

How do you keep your birds white?

I do nothing.

On rare occasion (like 3 times a year at most), I do give them a bucket of wood ash for dust bathing.

 

[ShrekDawg]

so, what was the cross??



Do you mean you have had production whites and had zero health issues with them?



I would guess about the same. .. but I don't think I have had production reds or sexlinks ... can't remember at the moment.

The hatchery production white leghorns that I had just had problems. They would on occasion get vent gleet, even though no one else in the flock did. I know one got prolapse (the only prolapse I have ever had). Now I can't remember what the others died of... but it was illness not predation. I had only started with 5 girls, only one made it to 3 years of age.



I do nothing.

On rare occasion (like 3 times a year at most), I do give them a bucket of wood ash for dust bathing.

That's sad they have so many issues! Not sure I want them now but idk :/

And thanks! So do they stay relatively white or do you let them get dirty? I don't really mind it much but just thought it was odd she changed color so much

 

[Alaskan]

mine usually look white.

 

[ShrekDawg]

mine usually look white.

I wonder if it was in mine's genetics to turn a different color? Like how some sussex get more white spots with every molt?

 

[cmom]

so, what was the cross??


Do you mean you have had production whites and had zero health issues with them?


I would guess about the same. .. but I don't think I have had production reds or sexlinks ... can't remember at the moment.

The hatchery production white leghorns that I had just had problems. They would on occasion get vent gleet, even though no one else in the flock did. I know one got prolapse (the only prolapse I have ever had). Now I can't remember what the others died of... but it was illness not predation. I had only started with 5 girls, only one made it to 3 years of age.



I do nothing.

On rare occasion (like 3 times a year at most), I do give them a bucket of wood ash for dust bathing.

Rose Comb Rhode Island White male and Rose Comb Rhode Island Red females. It turned out the male's father was a White Wyandotte. I think the Wyandotte influenced the chicks. I had some that turned out to be Black Sexlinks. It must of been from the Wyandotte. It was certainly a surprise to me.

I had more problems with my production than my pure breeds. I don't have the production birds anymore.

 

[Alaskan]

Rose Comb Rhode Island White male and Rose Comb Rhode Island Red females. It turned out the male's father was a White Wyandotte. I think the Wyandotte influenced the chicks. I had some that turned out to be Black Sexlinks. It must of been from the Wyandotte. It was certainly a surprise to me.

I had more problems with my production than my pure breeds. I don't have the production birds anymore.

interesting genetics.

 

[henaynei]

Been away for a while...chicks and work and spring chores keeping me busy.
Update on my 11 SC Browns
3 are roosters - researching standard to see which to keep.
All have been out with my adult Javas for well over a month. While smaller than the Javas they are larger than the Javas were at this age-3 months.
Took 1 week+ to train them to go into adult coop instead of introduction coop but integrated with minimal fuss between the groups. Only problem is adults want to eat Grower and juveniles want to eat Layer. Have crib set up to sequester the Grower for the juveniles but can’t sequester the Layer.
And yes, they are Very much more flighty and more easily alarmed than the Javas. May be a good thing when I finally move everyone out to semi- free range situation

 

[Alaskan]

good update .


Any pictures?

 

[ShrekDawg]

You could try feeding flock raiser or all flock or similar until they get bigger or even switching them all to grower. Won't hurt the adults as long as it's not medicated. Just provide oyster shell (calcium) of course. I believe grower should be temporary but flock raiser can be permanent if enough calcium is given to the adults. Actually better for roos anyway