Description
White Leghorn Chicken
Breed History and Origin
The White Leghorn Chicken is one of the most recognized egg-laying breeds in the world. The breed was admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1874 and traces its development through poultry breeding programs in Italy, Denmark, and England. Today, the White Leghorn remains one of the most important production egg breeds globally and is considered a sustainable heritage chicken breed with recovering conservation status. White and Brown Leghorns share a common Italian heritage.
Cackle Hatchery® has been developing its pure White Leghorn production bloodline since 1936, focusing on strong laying performance, feed efficiency, and flock durability.
Egg Production and Performance
White Leghorns are best known for their ability to produce large to extra-large white eggs at very high rates. Hens commonly lay around 280 eggs per year, with strong producers sometimes reaching 300 to 320 eggs annually under ideal conditions.
This breed is extremely efficient at converting feed into eggs. White Leghorns typically consume about 125 grams of feed per day, making them one of the most economical production layers available.
Because they are non-setters, White Leghorns rarely go broody. This allows for more consistent, uninterrupted egg production compared to many dual-purpose breeds.
Temperament and Management
White Leghorns are considered a very active and athletic breed. They mature quickly and are known for excellent foraging ability. This makes them ideal for free-range and organic egg production systems where birds need to supplement their diet naturally.
They are highly predator-aware and can often avoid danger due to their alert behavior. However, the white feather coloring can make them more visible in open environments.
White Leghorns are typically less people-oriented than heavier backyard breeds. They may be more nervous or flighty and often prefer less handling.
Size and Breed Characteristics
White Leghorns are considered a lightweight production breed, not intended for meat production. Mature hens typically weigh around 4½ pounds, while roosters average about 6 pounds. Pullets weigh about 4 pounds, and cockerels average close to 5 pounds.
They prefer higher roosting locations than many breeds and often choose roost heights between four and eight feet.
For breeding purposes, they perform best with a mating ratio of approximately twelve females to one male. Fertility commonly ranges between 65 and 80 percent, with chick gender accuracy typically falling between 80 and 85 percent when professionally sexed.
Availability and Breed Offering
Cackle Hatchery® currently offers the production type White Leghorn. At this time, we do not offer an exhibition line of this breed.
At limited times of the year, we also offer White Leghorn Fertile Hatching Eggs.
White Leghorn Chicken FAQs
Are White Leghorn chickens good egg layers?
Yes. White Leghorns are considered one of the best egg-laying breeds in the world and can produce 280 or more white eggs per year.
What color eggs do White Leghorns lay?
They lay large to extra-large white eggs with strong shells.
How much feed do White Leghorns eat per day?
White Leghorns typically consume about 125 grams of feed per day, making them very efficient production birds.
Are White Leghorns friendly chickens?
They are generally more independent and less interested in handling compared to heavier backyard breeds.
Are White Leghorns good for free range systems?
Yes. They are excellent foragers and perform very well in free range and organic egg production environments.
Are White Leghorns heritage chickens?
Yes. The White Leghorn is considered a recovering sustainable heritage breed with long historical importance in egg production.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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olana7995 –
I have raised chickens for over 40 years. Whenever I order pullets, I always order 4 or 5 Leghorns. I always want some good layers, These are the best! They lay a big white egg during all seasons. They never set (which is a relief to me) and they are just an all around great hen. This year was the second year I dealt with Cackle Hatchery and I was so pleased with their service! I still buy a of hens for their looks, so people who visit will say, “wow!” But its me saying “wow” when I get the eggs with Leghorns!
Lori Thompson –
I have ordered the leghorns from cackle hatchery t ice and have love having them. They are good egg layers and haven’t had much problem with them getting along with the other breeds.
Kacie Sanders –
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had a fantastic experience with this hatchery! I purchased a group of White Leghorn chicks, and they arrived healthy, active, and clearly well-cared-for. They grew beautifully and ended up being the very first of my mixed flock to start laying eggs — and they’ve been incredibly reliable layers ever since. I couldn’t be happier with the quality of the chicks or the excellent service from this hatchery. Highly recommend to anyone looking for strong, productive birds!
mcdo9629 –
I’ve ordered from Cackle a few times and have always had good customer service. My most recent experience was when I ordered some White Leghorns. That order got lost in shipping and all of the chicks died before they arrived. This was no fault of Cackle, but a shipping issue. I’ve placed several online orders over the years both with Cackle and other hatcheries and that was the first time I’ve ever had an issue with shipping. Cackle refunded my order and I was able to re-order quickly and the replacement batch of chicks arrived healthy and good. Those chicks are 12 weeks old now and every one of them has survived with no issues. I ordered 14 pullets and one rooster and everything turned out as expected with proper sexing of the chicks. I have a few other White Leghorns and they are the best layers of all of the birds in my flock so I am excited to see how well these ones lay. I’ll continue to do business with Cackle in the future.
Deborah Blackman –
I recently purchased a batch of White Leghorn chicks from Cackle Hatchery, and I couldn’t be happier with my experience. From the moment I placed my order to the day they arrived, the entire process was smooth and efficient. Cackle Hatchery kept me informed every step of the way, ensuring a seamless transition from their facility to my home. The care they take in shipping these little ones truly shines through, as they arrived safely and healthy.
Now, three months later, I’m amazed at how well they’ve adapted and thrived in our environment. The White Leghorns are not only robust but also extraordinarily lively and curious. Their growth has been impressive, and they’ve quickly become the stars of our backyard. With their bright personality and energetic demeanor, they fill our days with joy and are a delight to watch.
What stands out the most about Cackle Hatchery is their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. It’s clear that they put a lot of effort into breeding healthy, strong chickens. I highly recommend Cackle Hatchery to anyone looking to add vibrant and productive chickens to their flock. Thank you, Cackle Hatchery, for providing such wonderful birds and for exceptional service!
Bruthabuz –
My wife and I ordered 5 of these White Leghorns last November and were notified on 2/15 that our order of 35 total chicks had shipped to us in California. Two days later, the USPS called to let us know we could pick them up. We actually received 39 chicks, all of them in eggsellent shape! We can’t wait for them to start laying eggs, for us and our friends! Thank you, Cackle Hatchery!
Janey Welch –
I recommend chicken therapy and Cackle Hatchery to everyone! Received my 7 plus 1 free extra on the 28th. They are lively, playful, thriving and growing like weeds along with their 6 Barred Rock and 6 Cochin pals. No more feed store chicks for me! They are gorgeous girls!
Bryan Peed –
We ordered 14(we got 16) to add to our flock. They all arrived alert, alive and very energetic. Followed the instructions cackle provides and not a single loss. Birds are growing and flourishing. As always, Cackle is top shelf with their birds and service.
Brian Groover –
Smartest Bird in Our Flock, and the Best Layer
Cackle Hatchery did a fabulous job shipping healthy stock to us.
We only got one White Leghorn, along with some Dark Brahmas and Cornish Cross. The Leghorn is by far the best layer of the flock–or was until she got prolapse in her second year and stopped laying.
She’s also clearly the smartest of the flock, figuring *everything* out faster than the other birds. Lots of interesting behaviors.
When it comes time to replace the laying flock, I’ll be getting more White Leghorns. And there is no way I would order from anyone but Cackle Hatchery.
Rachel –
Awesome
This is my second order. My first order was a small order of only 6. But I loved my birds so much we ordered more. 16 leghorns came by mail quickly and they were all alive and well. Cacklehatchery does a great job! I love these birds, they are great layers and have the best, friendliest personality!!
Leona –
Wonderful Experience
I ordered four leghorns to restart my backyard flock. My previous hens all worked hard, retired and have passed on. So time to start anew. I have never ordered animals online, but couldn’t find what I wanted locally. So I placed my order and my chicks all arrived healthy and active. They are now two weeks old and going strong. Unlike some online reviews of leghorns, these birds are all friendly and very curious. I look forward to getting them outside and in their coop. Thanks for a great online ordering experience.
angel –
Thanks!
I would like to take the time and thank Cackle Hatchery. My chicks arrived and all alive and healthy. I can say that I will not order from anyone but you. I’ve ordered from other hatcheries and not the same satisfaction that I have with Cackle. Thank you so very much. Will always have my business. Your the #1 best of all.