Brown Leghorns: Pics, Info, and Resources

[LadyCluck77]

Does anyone know if brown leghorns tend to be bullies?  We have a couple of white leghorns that started picking at our other chickens (different breeds) and ended up starting a vicious cycle of picking and plucking that affected most of our flock.  They're a pretty bedraggled-looking bunch now.  We just bought a new mixed batch of 4 different breeds and I'm wondering if the leghorns just need to be separated from other breeds altogether.  Thanks!

It hasn't been my experience, but certainly some strains or some individuals of any breed of chicken can be bullies. My leghorns are at the top of the pecking order, but they never bully. My rooster is a brown leghorn and he's awesome. The gentlest bird I have easily.
There is a really good page on here about how to prevent feather picking, bullying, and other such issues in a flock. I learned a ton from her. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/98165/what-i-am-learning-about-feather-picking-and-cannibalism

 

[BGMatt]

It hasn't been my experience, but certainly some strains or some individuals of any breed of chicken can be bullies. My leghorns are at the top of the pecking order, but they never bully. My rooster is a brown leghorn and he's awesome. The gentlest bird I have easily.
There is a really good page on here about how to prevent feather picking, bullying, and other such issues in a flock. I learned a ton from her. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/98165/what-i-am-learning-about-feather-picking-and-cannibalism

Seconding this. It's a strain/individual thing, not a breed or variety thing. Leghorns are however very active and really enjoy larger than you'd expect living quarters for their size.

 

[Michael Apple]

Does anyone know if brown leghorns tend to be bullies? We have a couple of white leghorns that started picking at our other chickens (different breeds) and ended up starting a vicious cycle of picking and plucking that affected most of our flock. They're a pretty bedraggled-looking bunch now. We just bought a new mixed batch of 4 different breeds and I'm wondering if the leghorns just need to be separated from other breeds altogether. Thanks!

Where did you get your white Leghorns?

 

[wdnrmom3]

At our local feed store. I'm pretty sure the chicks were shipped in from Iowa.

 

[ayschmidt]

We just bought 4 chicks from the feed store they are 2 weeks old now and one of our Brown Leghorns is the absolute naughtiest chick I have ever seen. She is always getting into something and managing to get out of the brooder. She is beautiful but what a scamp!

 

[marni1995]

We've got hen chicks just over three weeks old and one is a brown leghorn. Her(?) comb is already growing and my son's friend who has had more chickens than us (this is only our second set of 6) said she(?) has spurs beginning to grow. Is it too early to tell?

We had them outside for the first time yesterday for a bit, and she was the hardest to get back in the box to head inside. But since the whole set of them at the store seemed more skittish than the other breeds, I thought that was part of their flightyness. ???

Thanks,
Marni

 

[LadyCluck77]

That one in the rear of the photo looks like a boy to me for sure.


However, I have a brown leghorn rooster and he is simply wonderful. He is quiet, gentle, beautiful, and protects his hens against everything. So, if you're considering a rooster, I highly recommend BL boys.

 

[MistyMountain]

I had a couple of leghorns, brown and white, that had big combs when they were younger. Both were pullets. I did not have any with combs that big that young though. I think you will just have to wait and watch.

All four of mine were quite flighty when they were young, but have become quite personable now that they are laying. I even have one that will leave the flock and follow me almost to the house in the morning.

 

[marni1995]

Our local ordinances don't allow for roosters, so if she turns out to be a he, he'll have to find a new home.

 

[flowerfaeiry]

You will definitely notice the larger comb on the cockerels by four weeks, and crowing by eight weeks. I would say you have a boy. I find the young boys much friendlier than the girls. They are a nervous bunch but great for free ranging, although mine are content in the coop and yard.