A Guide to White Leghorn Chickens: A Bird That Deserves a Spot in Your Flock

Thinking of getting some chickens? Definitely consider adding a few white leghorns to your flock. These popular birds are not only beautiful and friendly, but they’re also extremely productive and easy to care for.

When you’re looking chicken breeds that produce lots of eggs (as most chicken keepers are!), you can count on white leghorns to deliver.

White Leghorns at a Glance

a practical + productive backyard breed

  • reputation for being flighty (and sometimes are)
  • many large white eggs
  • rarely broody
  • not particularly cold-tolerant
  • good free rangers
  • very friendly and calm in my personal experience!
white hen with red comb in grass field.

An Overview of the White Leghorn

White leghorns are a popular breed of chicken because they’re extremely productive and easy to care for. They’re known for laying lots of eggs, so if you need plenty of food on your table or feed for your animals, these birds will be right up your alley. Additionally, white leghorns are friendly and social birds perfect for newcomers to chicken-keeping.

If you’re looking for tasty eggs, white leghorns are your best choice. These birds lay large eggs that are ideal for baking. And because they produce such a large number of eggs each year, you’ll never have to worry about running out of supply.

Tips For Keeping White Leghorns

  • Coop Size and Space Requirements: For backyard flocks, itโ€™s essential to provide enough space in the chicken coop to keep your birds comfortable. A general rule of thumb is to allow at least 4 square feet of coop space per bird, especially for active birds like White Leghorns.
  • Ventilation and Temperature Control: Good ventilation is key to keeping your chicken coop healthy, especially in cold weather. If you live in an area with harsh winters, consider using a heat source like infrared lamps to maintain a stable body temperature for your chickens. Always use porcelain sockets with heat lamps to avoid fire hazards. In warmer months, ensure the coop has plenty of airflow to prevent overheating.
  • Broodiness and Egg-Laying: White Leghorns are not a broody breed, which is ideal if youโ€™re focused on egg production rather than hatching chicks. However, if you want a good mother to raise new chicks, consider adding a Buff Orpington or another broody hen to your flock.

These Chickens Will Rarely Go Broody

three small white hens.

Broodiness is one of the reasons most chicken keepers have to cull their hens. In many cases, broodiness can even endanger a hen’s life. (Because they will stop eating and drinking, waiting for their eggs to hatch… which will never happen if they are unfertilized.) So if you’re looking for a high-laying breed that will continue laying eggs year after year, white leghorns are your best option.

300+ Eggs Annually

With their large size, white leghorns are known for laying a high number of eggs each year. On average, these birds can produce over 300 eggs annually, making them one of the most productive chicken breeds you can raise. Whether you’re looking to keep up with your family’s egg consumption or looking to sell extra eggs at the farmer’s market, you can count on white leghorns to deliver.

Smallish Chicken, But Large Eggs

White leghorns are a smaller breed, but their eggs will be on the larger side This is perfect for baking, and if you’re looking to sell extra eggs at the farmer’s market or provide food for your animals and family, white leghorns will always have you covered

High Energy

white chicken outside eating grass.

These birds are high-energy and love to be out and about, keeping your backyard hopping with their playful antics. So if you need some friendly companionship, get ready to welcome some white leghorns into your flock!

Suggestions for Flock Management

  • Integrating White Leghorns into an Existing Flock: When introducing white leghorn chicks or hens into an existing flock, monitor for any aggressive behavior from other birds. Due to their active nature, White Leghorns can sometimes disrupt the pecking order, so gradual integration and close observation are recommended.
  • Feeding and Nutrition: Providing the best diet for your White Leghorns includes access to clean, fresh water at all times. Offer a balanced chicken feed to ensure high egg production and strong health. If your flock is free-range, supplement their diet with pounds of feed to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
  • Predator Protection: To keep your flock safe from wild animals, use hardware cloth around your coop and run. This material is more durable than chicken wire and provides better protection against predators.

Beautiful Plumage

With their beautiful white plumage, white leghorns are a real treat to look at. These friendly birds will always be a welcome addition to your backyard, perfect for kids and adults alike. And with their active and energetic personalities, you’ll never have to worry about your white leghorns being a burden to care for.

Some Potential Downsides of White Leghorns

white chicken taking dust bath.

While there are a few cons to these beautiful birds, overall, they’re one of the best choices out there.

  • They can be noisy and temperamental at times. This means they may require more space than other breeds and may not be suitable for smaller backyards or urban living environments.
  • They aren’t very cold-hardy. They have large, beautiful combs, which makes them susceptible to frostbite. (This almost always heals on its own and isn’t a huge deal, but something to keep in mind.)
  • Not everyone wants white eggs. If you’re looking for more excitement in your eggshell life, this isn’t it.

Places To Get Your White Leghorn Chickens

If you’re interested in getting white leghorn chickens for your backyard, there are a few places to look. Local feed stores and online chicken breeders are both good options to consider, as they typically carry various breeds and offer helpful advice to new chicken keepers. You can also ask around local farms or check online classifieds to see if anyone is giving away or selling white leghorns, as these are often great ways to get started with chickens. Ultimately, the best way to find white leghorns for your flock is to do some research and plan ahead so that you can be sure you’re making the right choice for your backyard and lifestyle.

FAQs

What does it mean for a chicken to be flighty?

It means they’re acting a little nuts. A flighty chicken will be easily startled, run around, cause a commotion, and act like they’re being chased when they aren’t. It’s not really a problem unless the sound bothers you.

What kind of chickens lay white eggs?

Our friends are the White Leghorn of course, as well as Andalusian, Polish, Ancona, Hamburg, and California White. Check out my ultimate guide for all white egg laying chickens.

What breed of chicken do most commercial egg farms use?

White Leghorns! (For white eggs, that is.) That’s how you know they’re the most productive. ๐Ÿ˜Š

What are some other good egg-laying breeds besides White Leghorns?

In addition to White Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks are also popular choices for high egg production. Read here for more productive chickens. These breeds are known for laying a lot of eggs and are often a good choice for backyard chicken keepers. Buff Orpingtons and Easter Eggers are other good options if youโ€™re looking for good layers that add variety to your flock.

How do White Leghorns compare to other breeds in cold climates?

White Leghorns are not particularly cold-tolerant, which makes them a bit more challenging to keep in cold climates. In such cases, Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks are better choices as they are more cold-hardy. These breeds tend to do well in cold weather and can withstand cold winters better than Leghorns.

Can White Leghorns be kept in small flocks?

Yes, White Leghorns can be kept in small flocks, but itโ€™s important to consider their high energy and the potential for pecking order disputes. If you have a small flock, ensure your chickens have enough space to free-range and minimize stress.

Overall, white leghorns are a great choice for anyone looking to add chickens to their backyard. These beautiful birds are easy to care for and extremely productive, making them an excellent choice for new and experienced chicken keepers. Whether you’re looking for tasty eggs or delicious meat, white leghorns can provide an excellent food source and plenty of fun for your entire family. So if you’re thinking of adding chickens to your backyard, be sure to consider white leghorns as a great choice for your flock!

picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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