White Leghorn
The egg industry’s white workhorse.
Is the White Leghorn right for you? Take the Breed Matcher →About the White Leghorn
The White Leghorn is a prolific egg-laying breed with a slim body and striking white feathers. Known for their resilience and active nature, they are often less prone to disease. These birds are also characterized by their inquisitive temperament, making them engaging to keep in a backyard setting. Their distinctive physical appearance and outstanding egg production abilities set them apart from other breeds.
History
Originating from Italy, the White Leghorn was developed in the Mediterranean region in the early 19th century. They gained popularity in the United States after their importation in the 1850s, quickly establishing themselves as the primary breed for commercial egg production due to their high egg yield and adaptability.
Care tips
White Leghorns thrive in a spacious environment and prefer to roam freely, benefiting from daily forage opportunities. While they are hardy and can adapt to various climates, they are not known for being broody, which means they do not frequently sit on eggs. Providing shelter from extreme weather is essential, as their lightweight bodies can make them vulnerable.
Color varieties
Fun facts
- White Leghorns can lay over 300 eggs per year, making them top egg producers.
- They are known for their energetic and active behavior, often requiring more space to roam.
- Despite being excellent layers, they rarely go broody, making them low-maintenance for hatching.
- Their feathers are predominantly white, but their skin is yellow, indicative of their breeding heritage.
How the White Leghorn differs from other Leghorns
The White Leghorn is the best-known color of the Leghorn breed, and it is the bird behind most commercial white eggs. The breed is the same as other Leghorn colors, but the white variety has had far more selection for laying than any other. When people say Leghorns are egg machines, they usually mean White Leghorns from production lines.
Production vs show white Leghorns
There are two quite different kinds. Production White Leghorns are small, lean and lay a huge number of white eggs, often starting early and keeping a strong pace in their first year or two. Show White Leghorns are bred for the standard, with a larger body and bigger comb, and they lay noticeably less. Hatchery birds are usually closer to the production type.
Day to day
Expect busy, alert, flighty birds that do not love being caught. They rarely go broody and eat less feed than heavy breeds for the eggs they give. Expect them to clear a low fence easily, so cover the run or clip a wing.
Climate notes
White Leghorns are one of the best breeds for heat. Their light bodies and big combs help them shed heat, and white feathers reflect sun. That is why they show up so often among hot climate breeds. In cold winters, their big single combs are prone to frostbite. A dry, well ventilated coop matters a lot.
Egg color
They lay pure white eggs. If you want a basket of other shades too, see white egg layers and pair them with brown and blue layers.
Common questions about White Leghorns
Are White Leghorns the best layers?
Production lines are among the best layers you can keep, especially for white eggs.
Are White Leghorns noisy?
They can be. They are quick to sound alarms when something startles them.
Do White Leghorns get along with other breeds?
Usually, yes. They are active but not typically bullies. Give them enough space to stay busy.
