Arizona republican., 1922-03-19
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Of LEGHORN BREEDS

Originally the Leghorns came from
the Mediterranean country. They
were imported into this country about
20 years ago from Leghorn, Italy,
and from this they have derived the
name which Is quite generally applied
to this breed throughout the world.
The English Leghorns however are
somewhat larger and do not conform
cloesly to the American Standard
type OF Leghorns.
There are nine distinct varieties OF
Leghorns, Single and Rose Comb
Brown, Single and Rose Comb
White, Single and Rose Comb Buff,
Single Comb Black, Silver Leghorn
and Red Pyle Leghorn. The Leg
horns have always been noted for
their egg-laying qualities and doubt
less early importations were due to
this reputation. American breeders
have done much to perfect the egg
laying qualities and the Leghorns,
especially the White Leghorns, are
generally recognized as the leading
breed in egg production. In the Salt
River valley, nearly all the large
flocks, both on general farms and
commercial poultry plants, are White
Leghorns.
In type the Leghorn is much small
er than the Plymouth Rocks. The
standard weight being five and one
half pounds for cocks, cockerels one
pound lighter. hens four pounds and
pullets a half-pound less. The Leg
horn is strictly an egg producing
breed although the cockereIs are
marketed readily as fryers, and are
very fair in this respect.
The Leghorn is nervous bird of
great energy, and inclined to range
considerably, but stands confinement
well. Its natural activity makes it
imperative that some form of exer-
else be provided, either as range or
litter for scratching. Most CONNER
cial flocks throughout the country
are White Leghorns. Breeders are
improving the breed and there has
been a noticeable tendency during the
past few years to combine trap nest
records with showroom winnings. so
that one may have now, birds that
are high scoring birds according to
the standard and still have egg
laying qualities. Salt River Valley
breeders must give more attention to
improvement of this breed. since 1T is
in numbers the most popular OF all
breeds, and quite likely (since we
follow after California poultry breed
ers and egg producers) to continue to
be the breed of commerce.
Brown LeghoTns are an old favor
ite with many, and there have been
many inquiries this year for eggs and
stock of this variety. A few breeders
prefer the Buff variety, although 1t
does not appear that in numbers the
Bluffs are gaining very rapidly. OF
these three varieties, the single comb
varieties are by all odds the most
popular, especially in the Salt River
valley. Black Leghorns are objected
to by some because OF the dark pin
feathers, and although some OF the
Blacks have made some exceptional
egg laying records, there seems to be
no particular advantage over the
Whites. Silver Leghorns and Red
Pyle Leghorns are bred but little.
Probably there are none at all in
the Salt River valley. They may be
said to be strictly fancier's bird. As
an instance at the Madison Square
Garden show which is generally rec
ognized as the greatest show IN
America, there was single entry
Of Silver Leghorns and not one Of
Red Pyles.
Leghorns lay usually large white
egg. The White Leghorns particu-
larly lay a good-sized egg, and It is
this fact that has popularized the
breed quite as much as their egg
laying qualities for in certain sections
of the country the trade demands q
white egg and OF course one or gooo
size as well. In other sections the
demand is for a brown egg.