White Leghorn, the forgotten breed

[NorthGeogia]

My white leghorn pullets are 10 weeks old and my Jersey Giant pullets are 18 weeks.

The leghorns are hot, dirty with their own filth and only want to sit with their face in the food trough.
They don't want to leave their pen, seem a bit lethargic, not flighty. Their poop is wet and runny.

The Giants are not hot, very active, love to free range and eat all manner of weeds, worms, etc.
They also love to take dust baths and preen themselves and keep very clean.

Could the leghorns be sick, or are they just still a bit young?
Is this cause for concern?

 

[kapie9969]

Yes you have a problem.Mine jump around acting all happy and look clean.You should seperate them from other chickens till you get them healthy.
I have some anti biotic powder i havent used. I do have some vitamin powder i add to the water supply once in a great while if the weather or something has them stressed.
Maybe some vinager(a little) I give my chicks Romaine lettuce,its a super food in a diet book i have and the chicks love it.Mine are six weeks old.
I also use a nipple waterer so their water stays clean.
I wouldnt mind hearing some other ideas.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

My white leghorn pullets are 10 weeks old and my Jersey Giant pullets are 18 weeks.

The leghorns are hot, dirty with their own filth and only want to sit with their face in the food trough.
They don't want to leave their pen, seem a bit lethargic, not flighty. Their poop is wet and runny.

The Giants are not hot, very active, love to free range and eat all manner of weeds, worms, etc.
They also love to take dust baths and preen themselves and keep very clean.

Could the leghorns be sick, or are they just still a bit young?
Is this cause for concern?

I would put some ACV with mothers in there water. That stuff is great. I use 1 tbs per gallon of water. Mine are 5 weeks and run all over the place. Very very active.

 

[kapie9969]

ACV?

 

[ve]

ACV- Apple Cider Vinegar

Your dirty Leghorns, staying with face to the food dish, being lazy sounds like Broilers to me, or very sick Leghorns, but I do not think my second gues is the case.

 

[Liberty Nursery]

North Georgia what you are describing are Cornish x Rocks, not sure if that is what you have or not. I bought my first baby chicks March 11th this year with 6 leghorns (later going back and getting 12 more a month later) and 2 Cornish X Rocks along with other breeds at Tractor Supply. My Leghorns from day one could fly out of the brooder, and when first introduced to the chicken run they flew out of that too. I can not imagine this breed being lazy and dirty. Even after a dirt bath they come out as white as a north Canadian snow fall. The Cornish X Rocks always look dirty, laying in a pile of their own poo near a feeder. They will get out and scratch though, or attempt it.

I have a question about leghorns for those with experience, how flighty will they get with or without clipping wings, I raised my fence to 6 feet tall, will they be able to fly out of the run still? I am hoping I can keep from clipping their wings because I just adore how they fly around in the run. When other chickens walk they will fly from end to end of the run. I also wonder when they will they will start laying eggs.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

North Georgia what you are describing are Cornish x Rocks, not sure if that is what you have or not. I bought my first baby chicks March 11th this year with 6 leghorns (later going back and getting 12 more a month later) and 2 Cornish X Rocks along with other breeds at Tractor Supply. My Leghorns from day one could fly out of the brooder, and when first introduced to the chicken run they flew out of that too. I can not imagine this breed being lazy and dirty. Even after a dirt bath they come out as white as a north Canadian snow fall. The Cornish X Rocks always look dirty, laying in a pile of their own poo near a feeder. They will get out and scratch though, or attempt it.

I have a question about leghorns for those with experience, how flighty will they get with or without clipping wings, I raised my fence to 6 feet tall, will they be able to fly out of the run still? I am hoping I can keep from clipping their wings because I just adore how they fly around in the run. When other chickens walk they will fly from end to end of the run. I also wonder when they will they will start laying eggs.

I have had them start laying any where from 5-6 months old. If they want out they will get out. Mine are 5 weeks old only and when I came home yesterday from the flee market 2 of them where out. And the grow pen fence is over 4ft tall. 6ft fence is good as long is there is nothing they can jump on and fly over. Hen house etc etc. They are very flighty. Small body large wings=flighty. LOL

 

[PSJ]

My white leghorn pullets are 10 weeks old and my Jersey Giant pullets are 18 weeks.

The leghorns are hot, dirty with their own filth and only want to sit with their face in the food trough.
They don't want to leave their pen, seem a bit lethargic, not flighty. Their poop is wet and runny.

The Giants are not hot, very active, love to free range and eat all manner of weeds, worms, etc.  
They also love to take dust baths and preen themselves and keep very clean.

Could the leghorns be sick, or are they just still a bit young?
Is this cause for concern?

are you positive they are leghorns? Where did you buy them? I'm pretty sure what you have are Cornish rocks.

 

[MommaSampson]

My leghorns were about 6 months old when they started laying. I'm curious as to how their babies are going to do. I crossed my leghorns with a barred americauna mix.

 

[kapie9969]

From all the horror stories of critters eating chickens.I would put poultry netting over the top or live with the consequences. I keep mine in a greenhouse(nothing growing,just the chickens) So far they are in a cage,im waiting until they are big enough to match my bantams in size so they dont get beat up.
That is when i let them roam free in the GH. Then i wonder if the more agressive LH well beat up on the bantam cochins.
ACV,thats what i ment in my first reply.