Leghorn chicken
FAO 2007: not at risk[1]: 151 | |
Other names |
|
---|---|
Use | eggs |
Traits | |
Weight |
|
Skin colour | yellow[2]: 114 |
Egg colour | white |
Comb type | single or rose |
Classification | |
APA | Mediterranean[3] |
EE | yes[4] |
PCGB | soft feather: light[5] |
The Leghorn,[a] Italian: Livorno or Livornese, is a breed of chicken originating in Tuscany, in central Italy. Birds were first exported to North America in 1828 from the Tuscan port city of Livorno,[6] on the western coast of Italy. They were initially called "Italians", but by 1865 the breed was known as "Leghorn", the traditional anglicisation of "Livorno". The breed was introduced to Britain from the United States in 1870.[7] White Leghorns are commonly used as layer chickens in many countries of the world. Other Leghorn varieties are less common.
History
The origins of the Leghorn are not clear; it appears to derive from light breeds originating in rural Tuscany. The name comes from Leghorn, the traditional anglicisation of Livorno, the Tuscan port from which the first birds were exported to North America. The date of the first exports is variously reported as 1828,[6] "about 1830"[8]: 46 and 1852.[9] They were initially known as "Italians"; they were first referred to as "Leghorns" in 1865, in Worcester, Massachusetts.[10]
The Leghorn was included in the American Standard of Perfection in 1874, with three colours: black, white and brown (light and dark). Rose comb light and dark brown were added in 1883, and rose comb white in 1886. Single comb buff and silver followed in 1894, and red, black-tailed red, and Columbian in 1929. In 1981 rose comb black, buff, silver, and golden duckwing were added.[9]
The breed was first introduced to Britain from the United States in 1870, and from there re-exported to Italy.
Characteristics
In Italy, where the Livorno breed standard is recent, ten
The Italian standard gives a weight range of 2.4–2.7 kg (5.3–6.0 lb) for cocks, 2.0–2.3 kg (4.4–5.1 lb) for hens.[6] According to the British standard, fully grown Leghorn cocks weigh 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), hens 2.5 kg; cockerels weigh 2.7–2.95 kg and pullets 2–2.25 kg; for bantams the maximum weight is 1020 g for cocks and 910 g for hens.[7] Ring size is 18 mm for cocks, 16 mm for hens.[13]
Use
Leghorns are good layers of white
Notes
- ^ Pronunciation: US: /ˈlɛɡhɔːrn/, UK: /lɛˈɡɔːrn/
References
- ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
- ^ [s.n.] (1998). The American Standard of Perfection. Mendon, Massachusetts: American Poultry Association.
- ^ APA Recognized Breeds and Varieties: As of 1 January 2012. American Poultry Association. Archived 4 November 2017.
- ^ Liste des races et variétés homologuée dans les pays EE (28.04.2013). Entente Européenne d’Aviculture et de Cuniculture. Archived 16 June 2013.
- ^ Breed Classification. Poultry Club of Great Britain. Archived 12 June 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Atlante delle razze di Polli - Razze italiane: Livorno Accessed December 2011. (in Italian).
- ^ a b c Standards. The Leghorn Club. Accessed December 2011.
- ISBN 9780444885579.
- ^ a b Leghorn Chicken. American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, 1993–2009. Accessed December 2011.
- ^ Background On The Brown Leghorn Chicken. American Brown Leghorn Club, 1998-2004. Accessed December 2011.
- ^ ISBN 9781405156424.
- ^ Lewis Wright, Sidney Herbert Lewer ([1911]). Wright's Book of Poultry. Revised and edited in accordance with the latest Poultry Club standards. London; New York; Toronto; Melbourne: Cassell & Co.
- ^ a b Liste des races et variétés de Gallinacés et Palmipèdes domestiques et diamètres des bagues en mm (in French). Fédération française des volailles. Accessed December 2011.