Pearl White Leghorn (All You Need to Know)

If you want a hen that will start laying sooner than all the others, that will lay large white eggs, and that will keep laying for a longer amount of time, the Pearl White Leghorn is the hen to get!

I’ve had these hens in my flock for years and I will always continue adding them in every time I get new chicks.

But even though I love them, there are a couple of reasons why some chicken keepers shouldn’t raise them. So I’ll cover all the information you need below.

Pearl White Leghorn Characteristics

The Leghorn chicken breed originated in Tuscany, Italy, and was first brought to the United States in the mid to late 1800s.

After years of scientific breeding of select strains of White Leghorns, the Pearl White Leghorn, which is a newer breed, came into existence.

And since they are a production strain, they are not recommended for reproduction.

Leghorn hens are a non-setting bird though. This means it’s very unlikely that they would ever go broody anyway.

So anytime you need more chicks or pullets, I recommend buying them from a hatchery or checking out your local feed store.

So if you don’t yet have any Pearl White Leghorns in your flock, you should get some!

A few of my most favorite qualities are their livability and resistance to disease. In fact, over the years I’ve never had one die from getting sick.

They have an excellent feed to egg conversion ratio, which makes the cost of the feed bill much less.

And out of all the great egg layers I’ve raised, they are the best white egg layer I’ve ever had!

For even more information about this breed, check out all the facts below!

White Leghorn Egg Color

They lay large white eggs of the highest grade and most uniform shape.

When Do White Leghorns Start Laying Eggs

White Leghorn pullets usually start laying eggs at 15-18 weeks old and will lay eggs consistently for their first 2-3 years. After that, they will gradually slow down.

How Many Eggs Do White Leghorns Lay Per Year?

They lay an average of 280 eggs, but sometimes may even lay more than 300 eggs per year!

Since they are such productive layers, they do have a shorter lifespan compared to other layers. Their average lifespan is about 4-6 years.

Are Pearl White Leghorns Good Free Rangers?

They will do very well free-range because they are great foragers and will roost high in trees if allowed.

The only downside to free-ranging White Leghorns is that their white feathers make them stand out more to predators compared to the darker colored Leghorn breeds.

What Type of Weather is Best for White Leghorns?

They are very tolerant of both the heat and the cold, but they do have a large comb, which means their combs are more susceptible to frostbite.

You can prevent frostbite by coating their combs with vaseline.

Are White Leghorns Friendly?

Every White Leghorn hen I’ve had has been friendly, but they are not the cuddly type that likes to be held.

They are active and flighty which may make them appear not so friendly, but they are not aggressive. They just don’t have the calm temperament of gentle breeds, such as Cochins.

On the other hand, White Leghorn roosters are known for being aggressive. I have never owned one, but from the research I’ve done, the roosters can be mean.

Can you Raise Leghorns in Town?

Leghorns are one of the few breeds I don’t recommend if you live in town. They tend to be pretty noisy and active, so even if you don’t have a rooster crowing, the hens themselves can be pretty loud.

This breed will do best if they get to free-range during the day or at least have a large chicken run to roam around.

Are Leghorn Chickens Good for Eating?

They are small birds and do not have much meat on them so they are not worth eating. They are bred for their tremendous egg-laying ability.

Where Should You Buy Pearl White Leghorns?

I have always bought my chicks from Murray McMurray Hatchery and have had great success with every order. They are the oldest, largest, and rare breed hatchery in the United States. So if you’re looking for somewhere to get your chicks, I highly recommend them!

Summary

If you’re looking for an amazing egg layer with the greatest feed to egg ratio, who will start laying before all the others and then continue laying longer than other good layers, I suggest the Pearl White Leghorn!

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