Leghorn Thread

[LoveThemBirds]

Yup,she died right in front of my eyes...

 

[Alaskan]

Yup,she died right in front of my eyes...

 

[LoveThemBirds]

She was such a great hen!She was calm...

 

[cjwaldon]

I read it on one of the ads when I was looking at what kinds of chickens there were and things like best layers, and other qualities. I already had the brown Leghorns and I was on Murray McMurray looking at chickens and read that they were aggressive and I thought that really fits mine. My chickens have all had free run since I got them. There are probably exceptions to every rule. Mine fight with each other when it came to anything. Two of them hung close to each other and stayed clear of the third one. When they go to roost at night there was always a fight. They were the first chickens I had and maybe they just didn't want any other's around. Who knows?!

The McMurray website say's they're aggressive?

 

[silkiecuddles]

What are the characteristics of leghorns? I've never had any, but I've read they are great layers of big white eggs. Also, seeing that the roos' combs are so big, I'm assuming they don't do well in really cold weather?

 

[Michael Apple]

What are the characteristics of leghorns? I've never had any, but I've read they are great layers of big white eggs. Also, seeing that the roos' combs are so big, I'm assuming they don't do well in really cold weather?

They are active and best handled in the evening and early morning hours before sunrise for deworming, body analysis, etc. Whites are often the production strain, and other color varieties less so. Generally hens weigh around 4-5 lbs and roosters around 6+ lbs. Still, Browns I've had were excellent layers. The roosters are often very protective of hens. When raising chicks, they do best in a round brooder to prevent piling up on each other. The routine of treading gently around them prevents neurotic, flighty behavior. The ones I've had were from Belt Hatchery. McMurray, Ideal, and Privett had poor stock in my experiences over the years, so they'll never get my business again. There are also some very attentive private breeders that can be found among breed clubs. The Brown varieties are the only ones I know of in the US that have a club pertaining to them that I know of: http://www.the-coop.org/leghorn/history.html

 

[silkiecuddles]

OK! thanks! My first batch of chicks (assorted) was from McMurray, and they sent two free mystery chicks (Sebrights!). I got my past batch of chicks from Meyer, and they all survived. Will probably order from them again.

 

[Mr King]

Have any of you crossed before leghorn chickens with a Barred Rock rooster? What colors they suppose to have? I did and i thought they should be barred (California grays) but they are white. I'm confused.

 

[Michael Apple]

Have any of you crossed before leghorn chickens with a Barred Rock rooster? What colors they suppose to have? I did and i thought they should be barred (California grays) but they are white. I'm confused.

The California Gray breeds true due to selective breeding over time by Prof. Dryden who developed the breed in the 30's. Where they may have Barred Plymouth Rock and White leghorn in their ancestry, simply breeding the two will not produce a barred bird.

 

[Mr King]

The California Gray breeds true due to selective breeding over time by Prof. Dryden who developed the breed in the 30's. Where they may have Barred Plymouth Rock and White leghorn in their ancestry, simply breeding the two will not produce a barred bird.

That's why I'm getting those yellow baby chicks. A friend of mine ask me about California grays, and i Google it and understood that i will get them that simple

. So i told him i have my leghorns an a Barred Rock I can make some for you. I guess can do it like i do have some pure leghorns and some pure barred rocks. Thank you your more clear than Google.