White Leghorn Layer Breed Profile: Egg Yield & Feed Efficiency
Comprehensive guide mapping White Leghorn egg production curves, active temperament, and feed conversion efficiency.
Scientific Overview
The White Leghorn is the historic foundation behind all modern commercial white egg hybrids. Originating from Tuscany, Italy, Leghorns are renowned for incredible feed-to-egg efficiency, chalk-white eggs, and alert, active foraging behavior.
White Leghorn Overview & Definition
The White Leghorn is defined as a lightweight Mediterranean egg breed characterized by white plumage, large red floppy single combs, white earlobes, and unmatched feed efficiency producing 280–320 white eggs annually.
Leghorns have a small body frame (1.8–2.1 kg mature weight), requiring significantly less feed for body maintenance compared to heavy dual-purpose breeds.
Production Curve & Performance Chart
White Leghorn performance standards:
- Annual Egg Yield: 280–320 chalk-white eggs
- Daily Feed Consumption: 100–110 grams/hen/day
- Feed per Dozen Eggs: ~1.35 kg
- Mature Hen Weight: 1.8–2.1 kg
- Heat Hardiness: High (large single comb dissipates body heat)
Feed Intake & Foraging Temperament
Leghorns are flighty and active, requiring high perches and covered runs. Their low maintenance feed requirement makes them highly economical for white egg production.
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Related Calculators
Scientific Literature
- American Standard of Perfection (2023).
- Commercial Layer Management Guide (Hy-Line International).