I Need Your Knowledge of Leghorns!

[Smittenroade]

Anything special I should know about leghorns? I know I need to feed them a special layer diet of course. Im getting them in a couple weeks, do they need special nesting boxes or anything? Any info on them would be much appreciated! Thank you in advance.

 

[JustAChickenLittle&More]

I raised leghorns a while back. They are beautiful birds as well as great layers of BIG white commercial type eggs. They do tend to be flightly birds, however, I did have two or three I spent more time with and they were a lot friendly than the others. Make sure you have a net to catch one if you need too (especially if not in an enclosed area). Also, they fly really well. Mine could make it over a 6 foot fence. All in all, if you have looking for great egg production, these are it. The best I found!

 

[JustAChickenLittle&More]

PS: I wouldn't worry about nesting boxes TOO MUCH! I made some cute one and they decided that the best spot was in the little doggie travel cage I put in their coop/run.

 

[AinaWGSD]

You don't need to feed them a "special" layer diet, just the same layer diet you would feed any egg layer hens. Their basic care is the same as any other chicken. They do tend to be more flighty (ie skittish) than most of the heavier dual purpose breeds though and because they are light weight they are better fliers than say a barred rock or buff orp, so you might want to make sure that your run has a roof or netting over the top. I have one leghorn, and while I haven't found her to be much more flighty than my other birds she does like to stay just out of arm's reach if she thinks I'm going to pick her up (although she's the one I practically step on when I'm doing yardwork and they're free ranging in the yard). Some of that may be that she's one leghorn in a mixed flock of typically more "friendly" birds, but each bird is an individual. Regular nesting boxes will work just fine, mine lays in the same nest box as all my other girls. If you don't have nest boxes already in your coop, there are a lot of creative things you can repurpose as nesting boxes (5gal. buckets, kitty litter boxes, orange or milk crates, etc)

 

[Smittenroade]

Thanks for the good advice guys. When I said "special" layer diet its because I have no layers and have never had any.

Just meaties and game chickens. So this layer thing will bea bit new to me. And yes I have 3 decent sized nesting boxes so that should be good checked off the check list. Im going to have to build another coop tho, cuz Im running out of room.