Leghorn Advice?

[GoldfieldRancher]

Hello BackYard Chickens Community,

We are interested in starting a small flock of about 2 - 4 hens and think the Leghorn breed would work for us. Are Leghorn hens loud? We live in a small rural community outside of Phoenix Arizona but still have some neighbors that would not tolerate relatively loud chickens.

What personalities are Leghorns known for? Are they generally social and friendly towards people?

Any other advice about this breed that you think would be important for a potential owner of a Leghorn to know would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your reply!

 

[EngeFamilyFarms]

Flighty but great layers!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Leghorns are the best chickens ever. Any chicken can be loud. I usually have to clip a wing on mine their first year, they sure can fly!

Gary

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Generally speaking, leghorns are classified as "flighty" and reserved. That said, I have had several through the years and while definitely NOT lap chickens, they were intelligent, inquisitive and at least approachable. As my primary reason for having that breed in the flock was excellent production/efficiency, I wasn't bothered by the personality.

 

[JedJackson]

Leghorns are loud and they can be flighty. It's not a breed known for friendliness towards humans, but if raised with much care and held a lot, there is no reason they can't be good with humans. They are bred mainly for eggs, and in some cases, exhibition.

If you are wanting a more docile breed, go with a heavier breed. Barred rocks, buff Orpingtons, and black sex links are good choices. Or you could go with gentle bantam breeds like silkies or cochins, but they won't lay as much as the larger birds.

 

[sourland]

Pretty, productive, can be flighty - they are my favorite breed.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you just want to watch chickens, they can be quite entertaining. I think you will be fine. Hens do make noise when they are laying their eggs, but other than that are generally more quiet. No more so than many a dog, I have heard.

The leghorns are fantastic egg layers, but will probably not be real long lived. I think you will like them and they will do well in your area.

 

[SueT]

I have 3 brown leghorns and I don't find them loud except, like the my other breeds, when they are singing the egg song. They are not sociable or friendly toward humans unlike all my other breeds. They are standoffish. Mine don't want to be touched. They stick to themselves, and don't follow me around like the others tend to do.
They are intensive diggers, so if you are letting them range your yard, be prepared for that. They are considered a good free range breed, supposedly good at evading predators because of their flighty nature....
they are with a speckled sussex in this pic.

 

[GoldfieldRancher]

Thanks for all the help! My questions have been answered .
One more thing, are Leghorns a typically healthy breed? How long do they live on average?

 

[JedJackson]

Thanks for all the help! My questions have been answered .
One more thing, are Leghorns a typically healthy breed? How long do they live on average?

I've always found them to be very healthy. Like most heavy layers, they can have issues with their reproductive systems, but that is not common. I'm not sure about age. Based on my own birds in the past, I would say 5 to 8 years if they're well cared for.