Important Availability Note
Cackle Hatchery® discontinued breeding and selling Isabella Leghorn chickens for the 2018 season and beyond. The chicks dehydrated quickly during shipping, which caused viability concerns. Because chick health and safe delivery matter, Cackle Hatchery® stopped offering this breed.
Customers interested in similar white egg layers may want to review Cackle Hatchery’s White Leghorns, Brown Leghorns, or other white egg laying breeds.
Breed Overview and Origin
The Isabella Leghorn Chicken is a rare Leghorn color project originated by Buddy Henry. This variety combined Lavender Orpington genetics with Brown Leghorn genetics to create a Leghorn-type bird with a soft Isabella color pattern, white earlobes, yellow legs, and strong white egg production.
Cackle Hatchery® bred Isabella Leghorns for four years from seed stock obtained from Buddy Henry. However, Cackle later discontinued the line because the chicks dehydrated quickly during shipping. As a result, Cackle no longer breeds or sells Isabella Leghorns.
Although Cackle Hatchery® no longer offers this breed, the Isabella Leghorn remains an interesting part of rare Leghorn color-breeding history.
Appearance and Characteristics
Isabella Leghorns were developed to meet Leghorn type while carrying the rare Isabella color pattern. Buddy Henry’s later generations produced birds that were Leghorns in body type, laying ability, white earlobes, and yellow leg color, with the main difference being plumage color.
Expected traits included:
- Isabella color pattern
- Leghorn body type
- White earlobes
- Yellow legs in later generations
- Excellent white egg production
- Light, active Leghorn build
- Clean legs
- Rare lavender-based color genetics
- Non-standard color variety
- Discontinued Cackle Hatchery® line
Buddy Henry’s notes state that the final birds met all Leghorn Standard of Perfection requirements except color.
Why Cackle Hatchery® Discontinued Isabella Leghorns
Cackle Hatchery® discontinued Isabella Leghorns because chicks dehydrated quickly during the shipping process. This created viability issues.
Day-old chick shipping depends on strong chick vigor, proper hydration, and dependable survival during transit. Since Isabella Leghorn chicks did not handle shipping well enough, Cackle made the responsible decision to stop breeding and selling them after the 2018 season.
This note should stay clear on the product page so customers understand that the decision involved chick welfare and delivery success.
Buddy Henry’s Isabella Leghorn Breeding History
Buddy Henry developed the Isabella Leghorn through a multi-year breeding project. The project started with Lavender Orpington and Brown Leghorn genetics, then moved through several generations to recover Leghorn type while retaining the Isabella pattern.
2008: Generation 1
Buddy Henry bred a Lavender Orpington male to Brown Leghorn females from Cackle Hatchery®.
The result produced black offspring that showed gold in the hackles and carried lavender. These birds had various leg colors, white earlobes, a general Leghorn appearance, and laid light tan eggs.
This became Generation 1.
2009: Generation 2
Buddy bred a Generation 1 male to Generation 1 females.
The results included:
- 75% chipmunk-pattern chicks, culled from breeding
- 20% solid lavender chicks, culled from breeding
- 5% Isabella-pattern chicks, kept for the project
The Isabella-pattern birds became Generation 2. At this point, the birds still carried half Orpington and half Leghorn background.
2010: Generation 3
Buddy bred Generation 2 males to Brown Leghorn females from Cackle Hatchery®. He also bred Brown Leghorn males from Cackle Hatchery® to Generation 2 females.
This produced two Generation 3 crosses, both split for lavender.
These birds looked more like Brown Leghorns, although their color patterns were darker. Pearl-colored legs still caused concern, but the birds had white earlobes and finally laid white eggs.
2011: Generation 4
Buddy bred:
- Generation 3 Cross 1 males to Generation 3 Cross 2 females
- Generation 3 Cross 2 males to Generation 3 Cross 1 females
The results included:
- 50% chipmunk-pattern chicks, culled
- 50% Isabella-pattern chicks, kept as Generation 4
At this stage, the birds looked nearly finished. However, they still carried about 25% Orpington background and appeared too heavy.
2012: Generation 5
Buddy bred Generation 4 males to Brown Leghorn females from the Don Schrider show line. He also bred Don Schrider line Brown Leghorn males to Generation 4 females.
This created Generation 5 Cross 1 and Generation 5 Cross 2.
Generation 5 returned the birds to pure Brown Leghorn type in nearly every practical way. They produced an excellent abundance of white eggs, showed large white earlobes, and carried yellow legs. The main difference was that these birds were split for lavender.
2013: Pure Isabella Leghorns
Buddy bred:
- Generation 5 Cross 1 males to Generation 5 Cross 2 females
- Generation 5 Cross 2 males to Generation 5 Cross 1 females
The result produced:
- 50% pure Brown Leghorns
- 50% pure Isabella Leghorns
At this point, the Isabella Leghorns bred true and could also produce predictable results when crossed back to Brown Leghorns.
Isabella Leghorn Breeding Results
Buddy Henry’s final breeding notes state:
- Isabella x Isabella = 100% Isabella
- Isabella x Brown Leghorn = 50% Isabella and 50% Brown Leghorn
These results made the color project predictable and repeatable. In addition, the final birds met all Leghorn breed requirements except for color.
Egg Production and White Eggs
Isabella Leghorns were developed to retain Leghorn laying ability. By Generation 5, Buddy Henry’s notes describe the birds as producing an excellent abundance of white eggs.
This matters because Leghorns are famous for white egg production. Cackle Hatchery’s White Leghorn page describes White Leghorns as excellent layers of extra-large white eggs and notes that Cackle has developed its White Leghorn bloodline since 1936.
Although Isabella Leghorns had strong egg-laying potential, Cackle discontinued them because chick viability during shipping did not meet expectations.
Isabella Leghorn vs Brown Leghorn
Isabella Leghorns and Brown Leghorns share the same Leghorn foundation, but their color genetics differ.
An Isabella Leghorn carries lavender-based genetics that create the Isabella color pattern. Buddy Henry developed the line through Lavender Orpington and Brown Leghorn breeding, then worked back toward pure Leghorn type.
A Brown Leghorn is a standard Leghorn variety with the classic brown color pattern, white egg production, white earlobes, and active Mediterranean body type.
Choose Isabella Leghorns if you are studying rare Leghorn color genetics and breeding history.
Choose Brown Leghorns if you want a currently available Leghorn variety with traditional color and strong white egg production.
Isabella Leghorn vs White Leghorn
Isabella Leghorns and White Leghorns both connect to Leghorn egg-laying ability, but they serve different purposes.
An Isabella Leghorn is a rare color project that Cackle Hatchery® discontinued because chicks dehydrated quickly during shipping.
A White Leghorn chicken is a classic white egg layer known for strong production, extra-large white eggs, and long-standing Cackle Hatchery® breeding history.
Choose Isabella Leghorns if you want historical information about a rare discontinued color project.
Choose White Leghorns if you want a dependable, currently available white egg layer.
Isabella Leghorn vs California White
The Isabella Leghorn and California White both relate to white egg production, but they come from different breeding goals.
An Isabella Leghorn was a rare Leghorn color project focused on lavender-based Isabella plumage while maintaining Leghorn type.
A California White chicken is a production cross made from a White Leghorn hen and a California Grey rooster. Cackle lists California Whites as fast-growing, hardy birds that lay lots of big white eggs and take well to confinement.
Choose Isabella Leghorns for rare color-breeding history.
Choose California Whites for practical white egg production and confinement tolerance.
Is the Isabella Leghorn Right for Your Flock?
Because Cackle Hatchery® discontinued Isabella Leghorns after the 2018 season, customers should not plan an order for this breed from Cackle.
However, the Isabella Leghorn may interest customers who want to learn about:
- Rare Leghorn color genetics
- Lavender-based plumage projects
- Buddy Henry’s breeding work
- Brown Leghorn improvement lines
- White egg production genetics
- Leghorn type recovery through selective breeding
- Discontinued Cackle Hatchery® breed history
For a currently available flock option, customers should consider White Leghorns, Brown Leghorns, California Whites, or other white egg layers.
Care and Housing Notes
If customers find Isabella Leghorns from another breeder, they should expect general Leghorn-style care needs. Leghorns are active, efficient, and productive birds that need clean housing, good ventilation, balanced feed, and predator protection.
For best results, provide:
- A clean, dry, well-ventilated coop
- Predator-resistant fencing
- Fresh water at all times
- Balanced chick starter and age-appropriate layer feed
- Nest boxes for white eggs
- Enough roosting space
- Shade and airflow during hot weather
- Protection from drafts and damp bedding in cold weather
- Secure outdoor access for active birds
Because Cackle Hatchery® stopped offering Isabella Leghorns due to chick dehydration during shipping, customers should ask any breeder about chick vigor, shipping practices, and survival history before ordering.
Recognition and Availability
The Isabella Leghorn color is not a standard American Poultry Association Leghorn color variety. Buddy Henry’s final birds reportedly met all Leghorn Standard of Perfection requirements except for color.
Cackle Hatchery® discontinued Isabella Leghorns for the 2018 season and beyond because of shipping viability concerns. Customers should check Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart for currently available white egg layer options. The availability chart updates frequently and shows available shipping dates during checkout.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
Customers interested in Isabella Leghorns may also want to review other Leghorns, white egg layers, and production-style breeds.
Helpful Cackle Hatchery® links for this product page include:
FAQ: Isabella Leghorn Chicken
What is an Isabella Leghorn Chicken?
An Isabella Leghorn Chicken is a rare Leghorn color project originated by Buddy Henry using Lavender Orpington and Brown Leghorn genetics to create an Isabella-colored Leghorn-type white egg layer.
Who originated the Isabella Leghorn?
Buddy Henry originated the Isabella Leghorn.
Did Cackle Hatchery® breed Isabella Leghorns?
Yes. Cackle Hatchery® bred Isabella Leghorns for four years from seed stock obtained from Buddy Henry.
Does Cackle Hatchery® still sell Isabella Leghorns?
No. Cackle Hatchery® discontinued breeding and selling Isabella Leghorns for the 2018 season and beyond.
Why did Cackle Hatchery® discontinue Isabella Leghorns?
Cackle Hatchery® discontinued Isabella Leghorns because the chicks dehydrated quickly during shipping, which caused viability issues.
What breeds helped create the Isabella Leghorn?
Buddy Henry started the project with a Lavender Orpington male crossed to Brown Leghorn females from Cackle Hatchery®.
What happened in the first generation?
The first generation produced black offspring showing gold in the hackles. These birds carried lavender, had various leg colors, had white earlobes, showed overall Leghorn appearance, and laid light tan eggs.
When did the project start producing Isabella-pattern chicks?
In 2009, the Generation 1 x Generation 1 breeding produced about 5% Isabella-pattern chicks, which Buddy Henry kept for the project.
When did the birds start laying white eggs?
By the 2010 Generation 3 crosses, the birds had white earlobes and finally laid white eggs.
Why did Buddy Henry continue crossing back to Brown Leghorns?
He crossed back to Brown Leghorns to improve Leghorn type, reduce heavy Orpington influence, improve leg color, and strengthen white egg production.
What did Generation 5 accomplish?
Generation 5 returned the birds to pure Brown Leghorn type in practical terms. They had excellent white egg production, large white earlobes, and yellow legs, while still carrying lavender genetics.
Do Isabella Leghorns breed true?
Buddy Henry’s notes state that Isabella x Isabella produces 100% Isabella offspring.
What happens when Isabella Leghorns are crossed to Brown Leghorns?
Buddy Henry’s notes state that Isabella x Brown Leghorn produces 50% Isabella and 50% Brown Leghorn offspring.
Do Isabella Leghorns meet Leghorn standard requirements?
Buddy Henry’s notes state that the birds meet all Leghorn requirements except for color.
What color eggs do Isabella Leghorns lay?
Later-generation Isabella Leghorns lay white eggs.
Are Isabella Leghorns APA recognized?
The Isabella color is not an APA-recognized Leghorn color variety.
Are Isabella Leghorns good egg layers?
Buddy Henry’s later generations produced an excellent abundance of white eggs, which reflects their Leghorn foundation.
What is the difference between Isabella Leghorn and Brown Leghorn?
Isabella Leghorns carry lavender-based Isabella plumage genetics. Brown Leghorns carry the traditional brown Leghorn color pattern.
What is the difference between Isabella Leghorn and White Leghorn?
Isabella Leghorns were a rare color project that Cackle discontinued. White Leghorns are a classic, currently available white egg laying breed.
What should customers order instead of Isabella Leghorns?
Customers may want to consider White Leghorns, Brown Leghorns, California Whites, or other Cackle Hatchery® white egg layers.
Where can I check current white egg layer availability?
Customers can check Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart for current white egg layer availability and shipping dates.
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Wish they were available.
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yes sir
ok