The Moonshiner's Leghorns

[The Moonshiner]

Isabellas have really died out in popularity. I don't keep up with who sells them anymore but a member that posts here picked up some not long ago. Maybe they can help you out.

There's varieties out there but most are very hit and miss to find.
Of course whites and browns are everywhere. As you mentioned isabellas. If you look hard enough you may find buffs, silvers or blacks. Dark browns used to not be hard to find but seems now they have. I think there's a place that has black tailed red and a few with exchequer.
IDK I began by trying to source any varieties I could find and it wasn't easy. Most were very poor examples and many took a few years to even locate.

 

[Miami Leghorn]

I would like to have a pole setup on this site for people to vote....a petition if you will, for The Moonshiner to start writing his book on Leghorn breeding..working titles if I may suggest:
The Leggern Chronicles..or..Chasing the Locus...

 

[Redhead Rae]

Isabellas have really died out in popularity. I don't keep up with who sells them anymore but a member that posts here picked up some not long ago. Maybe they can help you out.

There's varieties out there but most are very hit and miss to find.
Of course whites and browns are everywhere. As you mentioned isabellas. If you look hard enough you may find buffs, silvers or blacks. Dark browns used to not be hard to find but seems now they have. I think there's a place that has black tailed red and a few with exchequer.
IDK I began by trying to source any varieties I could find and it wasn't easy. Most were very poor examples and many took a few years to even locate.

I know a couple of members on here that used to breed them. However, they had major problems. I think there was talk of a lethal gene, but I never heard if that had been confirmed or not.

 

[Chickenheadmate]

Thank you. Thats means a lot in my neck of the woods.


Lol. Ya that happens from time to time.


Yes and no.
When the breeder that "created" opal legbars was doing so she was not the only one doing it.
Mine came from the other breeder that was also doing the same project.
IMO one breeder took their time, worked with smaller numbers and put her effort into breeding beautiful quality birds.
Let's just say the other breeder had different goals which involved putting many birds on the ground and getting them to a profitable place asap.

Thanks to replying to all of my messages.
Do you know if this person that took the time, sells any?
I found who the other person is, but would like to buy from the person who took the time.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

I got my 1st White leghorns this spring and happened on the thread...OMG I never knew they could come in so many beautiful colors! Thanks for sharing your work in progress.

 

[PLwarped59]

I know a couple of members on here that used to breed them. However, they had major problems. I think there was talk of a lethal gene, but I never heard if that had been confirmed or not.

Yikes. I hope not. I think I may try them out, and find out. Thank you for that information. It is much better to be aware of potential issues.


@The Moonshiner
Thanks for this thread and all the information given. Your passion has led me right into leghorns.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I love all these colors

Thank you.

I never wanted leghorns until I read this thread.

Thank you for reading the thread.
I never thought this thread would bring much interest in persuading anyone to like the breed. That's a bonus.
I actually started the thread to show what can be done with any breed that comes in a handful of varieties.
To try to bring some interest in genetic possibilities and show that if a hillbilly with no genetic studies can do it that anyone can.

 

[The Moonshiner]

How cool to see some new faces showing up and showing interest.
I had been around leghorns for a decade or more myself before I knew they were anything other then white. And then probably another decade before seeing anything other then whites and browns.
It seems odd that leghorns are one of the most well known breeds yet so many are unaware of the most beautiful varieties.
I see so many possibilities with them and more varieties being created just from using what there already are.
One day I'm gonna have a row of pens with 50 varieties. After that I'll get serious and see what I can really accomplish.

 

[Miami Leghorn]

How cool to see some new faces showing up and showing interest.
I had been around leghorns for a decade or more myself before I knew they were anything other then white. And then probably another decade before seeing anything other then whites and browns.
It seems odd that leghorns are one of the most well known breeds yet so many are unaware of the most beautiful varieties.
I see so many possibilities with them and more varieties being created just from using what there already are.
One day I'm gonna have a row of pens with 50 varieties. After that I'll get serious and see what I can really accomplish.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I get why you haven't yet, but I still wish you sold eggs. I've only ever heard of brown and white Leghorn before now