Leghorn Thread

[Alaskan]

I think you leghorns are really pretty birds and I don't understand the part about wondering whether they are worthy of breeding. What about the fact that leghorns are great layers and you get eggs from them daily.

Who were you talking to?

Anyway.... if a bird is worthy of breeding... you need to look at all of the birds that you have and first see if they have any big problems (actual conformation problems like a bent back, bent toes cross beak), since we are talking about Leghorns, you probably want to make sure that the bird you are looking at lays very well and lays large eggs.

etc. etc etc.

After all of that stuff, you will also want to look at the feather color, leg color, the comb size and shape, etc.

There are many things to look at before you decide which birds you want to breed, or if they are worthy of breeding.

 

[sssharon]

Alaskan, someone had posted on one of the previous remarks about a leghorn being worthy of breeding back. It's not important,it was just a question anyway. To all leghorn viewers I just got my first egg from my leghorn mix and it was a Nice surprise. She is leghorn Ameraucana mix.

Or she's EE leghorn mix either way she laid me a nice blue egg.

 

[sssharon]

katekearby, I read that leghorns start laying around 16 to17 weeks old and mine just laid her first egg this week she will be 18 weeks tomorrow so mines held pretty much true. I was real surprised because usually it seems like my chickens are always seven months before they lay eggs. Mine is a leghorn Amerauna/EE mix and she laid a pretty little blue egg.

 

[sssharon]

Alaskan, thanks for the info.

 

[Alaskan]

Alaskan, someone had posted on one of the previous remarks about a leghorn being worthy of breeding back. It's not important,it was just a question anyway. To all leghorn viewers I just got my first egg from my leghorn mix and it was a Nice surprise. She is leghorn Ameraucana mix.
Or she's EE leghorn mix either way she laid me a nice blue egg.

super pretty!

Very nice to get the egg production of a Leghorn crossed with pretty blue.

 

[Mr King]

katekearby, I read that leghorns start laying around 16 to17 weeks old and mine just laid her first egg this week she will be 18 weeks tomorrow so mines held pretty much true. I was real surprised because usually it seems like my chickens are always seven months before they lay eggs. Mine is a leghorn Amerauna/EE mix and she laid a pretty little blue egg.

Normal age and ideal age should be 20 weeks, but all depends on weight,maturity,day light etc. Congrats for your new layer.

 

[rjdemille]

I have 2 pearl white leghorns a 2 rose comb brown love them!!!! My whites are very lovey but my rose combs are very flighty they remind me of the roadrunner but they are so cute

 

[av8torcrj]

I recently sold my entire "dual purpose" flock and started fresh with 25 pearle whites from mcmurray and 25 ideal 236. So far I really like the birds. They got past a brief schitzo phase and are now no more " flighty" really than any other breed I've had so far. Yes, they are quick and can fly but I don't see them as unusually paranoid. Several actually come up and ask to be held, many don't mind being touched. One rooster made it into the bunch despite ordering all pullets. He was readily identified by week 2 with a very rapidly growing comb. There was absolutely no cannabalism or picking in the group as they matured unlike some other breeds I've had that were relentless at it. Perhaps the breeds history of close confinement plays a role in this. They seem to be good foragers and I'm looking forward to seeing if they live up to their egg laying reputation.

 

[Alaskan]

I recently sold my entire "dual purpose" flock and started fresh with 25 pearle whites from mcmurray and 25 ideal 236. So far I really like the birds. They got past a brief schitzo phase and are now no more " flighty" really than any other breed I've had so far. Yes, they are quick and can fly but I don't see them as unusually paranoid. Several actually come up and ask to be held, many don't mind being touched. One rooster made it into the bunch despite ordering all pullets. He was readily identified by week 2 with a very rapidly growing comb. There was absolutely no cannabalism or picking in the group as they matured unlike some other breeds I've had that were relentless at it. Perhaps the breeds history of close confinement plays a role in this. They seem to be good foragers and I'm looking forward to seeing if they live up to their egg laying reputation.

What are the Ideal 236?

I am glad that you are enjoying your leghorns... You will be floored when they start to lay, they ROCK!

 

[sssharon]

Alaskan you are definitely right about the Leghorn egg laying. It must not make a lot of difference if they are mixed, my Leghorn never misses a day. Her eggs are getting bigger. From pewee to small. Haha I have a brown leghorn EE that looks like she's about ready to lay an egg.either that or crow. Most of the time I am just guessing what sex they are. Until they lay an egg. Ha ha. I hope I'm right about her, I can use more eggs.