A breed of chickens called a blue leghorn chickens comes from Tuscany, Italy. The most famous thing about this chicken is how many eggs it can lay. People who keep chickens in their yards and small farms like this choice because of this. This article tells us more about the Leghorn’s past and shows us how it looks. Here are some good and bad things about having this kind of chicken in your flock.
History and Origin
It is famous that this type of chicken lays beautiful eggs but no one knows where the Leghorn breed came from. It could have evolved from a small landrace chicken in the Tuscan area of northern Italy. The Livorno chickens didn’t need much food, and they were small but laid a lot of eggs.
Some of these chickens were brought back to Britain by a man named Captain Richard Hawker in 1828, where they were raised. The birds were named “Leghorns” after the port city in Italy called Leghorn, where they were born.
The History of Blue Leghorn Chickens
In 1828, he brought the Leghorn breed of chicken to North America for the first time. The APA Standard made them feel safe in 1874. In the beginning, breeders in Tuscany, Italy, bred them from chickens that came from Spain.
It was made so that this type of hen could lay eggs, and it quickly became one of the most well-known laying hens in the U.S. Even now, they are still one of the most common types of hens used in egg farms.
Blue Leghorn Chickens Breed Standard and Appearance
The Blue feathers on White Leghorns make them stand out from other chicken kinds. The hens are only 5 pounds, and the roosters are 6 pounds, so they are pretty small. Their wattles, which are red bumps on the back of their necks, are also red. They only have one comb with five points.
What do Blue leghorn baby chicks look like?
Blue Leghorn chicks are usually yellow, and their legs and beak have a light color. As they grow up, their feathers will start to turn white.
Blue Leghorn Hens; Egg Production
Plenty of eggs is one thing that makes the Blue Leghorn breed well-known. Every year, hens can lay between 280 and 320 eggs, which is more than five eggs every week. The eggs are huge, and their bodies are blue. This bird that lays eggs is one of the best at its job.
The blue Leghorn is a breed of chicken that will regularly give you a lot of eggs every year.
Let’s discuss some family history here. The father of my in-laws raised these hens at his business coop. My wife’s dad told me that his dad’s white Leghorn won races.
When does a Blue Leghorn Hen Start Laying?
Most leghorn chicks will be fully grown by 18 to 20 weeks, and hens will start laying around that time, but be ready; some will start laying earlier (ours did at 16 weeks).
These hens will do one egg a day for five or six days, like clockwork.
What size eggs are Blue Leghorn Hen Eggs?
They are large, and many of them lay white eggs that are even bigger. You will need egg boxes or egg crates for these birds, so make sure you have them ready.
Large white eggs are what the White Leghorn is known for. This is what they do best; this is the chicken that keeps giving.
How Many Eggs Do Blue Leghorn Hens Lay?
There will be A LOT of eggs from your hen. About 280 to 300 eggs will be laid by the White Leghorn hens each year. This amount is good for a small backyard farm, a farm stand, farmers’ markets, or even making food for sale. All over the U.S., this makes them a fan favorite farm animal.
Meat Bird
It’s not a good idea to eat leghorn chicken as meat. The meat will be tough because they are small. But “if” you need to cut down on the number of chickens in your group, these are the best ones to use as “soup birds.” If you want a good game bird, look at the bigger breeds, especially the Cornish breeds.
Blue Leghorn Chicken Temperament and Disposition
Blue Leghorn Chicken is smart and can find ways to get what it needs. They can fly well and like to sleep in trees if they can. They can be a little noisy, but it depends on the strain. An awful lot of Leghorn lines don’t fly, and roosters don’t like it when their chicken keeper is around.
These are smart, busy chickens that like to find food on their own. They can also find food on their own if they are free to roam. If you want to add Leghorns to your group, make sure they have a lot of space to roam. They get bored quickly and have a lot of energy.
Do Blue Leghorn Chickens Do Well In A Mixed Flock?
If you plan, you can usually mix leghorn chickens with other birds. In both the coop and the run, make sure there is enough room for your chickens. That’s why leghorns need long runs: they keep them busy during the day and make them more likely to rest when it’s time.
Adding two or more of each type to a flock is always a good idea. That’s why when you introduce your Leghorn to the other chickens, try to do it with two or three of them at a time.
Is a Blue Leghorn Rooster Aggressive?
They’re not the most violent roosters, but they can be. When putting a rooster in with the hens, think about how many hens you already have. Also, have as few roosters as possible and a place to separate them if you need to.
Is The Blue Leghorn Chicken Good for Free Range and Foraging?
Blue Leghorn Chickens would say they like to free-range if they could talk. Foraging is one of their best things to do because they love being active. The birds are very good at finding food on their own, and they can often get most of their food by wandering around fields and backyards.
If you let your Leghorns roam free, be careful not to cut their flight feathers. They might not be able to get away from a hunter if they did this.
Would these Blue Leghorn Chickens Do Well in an Urban Backyard?
The Leghorn chickens like to be accessible to roam, but they can also get used to being confined and will live in small areas.
To keep them healthy, make sure they have enough room in their coop and on the run. Also, be very careful about trimming any flight feathers.
Are Blue Leghorn Chickens Noisy?
Like most hens, they make a lot of noise when they lay eggs. Besides that, they can be loud when there is a loud noise or when they think a threat (even a person) is coming. If you live in the city and want to keep chickens, check with your neighbors and see what the rules are.
Summary of Blue Leghorn Chickens
The Blue Leghorn chicken is a great addition to any group. They are challenging birds that are relatively easy to take care of. These chickens like to move around, so give them plenty of room to run and things to do. Soon, your Leghorns will be happy and healthy!
People who want to keep chickens in their yards or farmers who need a reliable layer bird should choose the White Leghorn. While they aren’t very calm or friendly, the fact that they lay a lot of eggs makes up for any personality flaws. As long as you take good care of your White Leghorns, they will give you fresh eggs for many years.