Leghorn Chickens: The New Zealand Keeper's Guide
~280 white eggs a year · Light (2-2.5 kg) · classic white-egg layer
The Leghorn is the original high-output white-egg layer and the ancestor of many commercial hybrids. It is a lean, active, alert bird that turns feed into eggs with remarkable efficiency, though it is more flighty than the placid brown hybrids.
Eggs and laying
Around 280 or more large white eggs a year from a hardy, frugal bird that keeps going for several seasons. White-egg layers are less common in New Zealand backyards, so a Leghorn stands out in the basket.
Temperament
Active, alert and a strong flier, more independent and less cuddly than a hybrid. Not aggressive, just busy, and they prefer foraging room to confinement.
New Zealand climate fit
Their Mediterranean origins make them excellent in the warm north and through hot summers. The large single comb is prone to frostbite in cold, frosty parts of the south, so a draught-free coop helps in Otago and Southland.
Care notes
Light, economical eaters and superb free-rangers. Clip a wing or build a tall run, because they can fly well and will roost high given the chance.
More breeds
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Leghorn eggs white?
Egg colour is down to breed genetics. Leghorns are a Mediterranean breed that lays white eggs, while the brown hybrids common in New Zealand lay brown. The colour makes no difference to taste or nutrition.
Are Leghorns friendly?
They are more flighty and independent than brown hybrids, alert and quick rather than cuddly. They tame down with handling but suit a keeper who values laying and foraging over a lap hen.
Do Leghorns handle the cold?
They handle heat better than cold. The large comb can suffer frostbite in hard frosts, so in the colder south give them a dry, draught-free coop.