White Leghorn laying hens
History
White Leghorn chickens are egg-laying chickens that originate from Italy. The name "Leghorn" comes from the port city of Livorno, which was the source of exports of this breed of chicken to the United States in the 19th century. After that, the breed was developed to have high egg-laying efficiency. It has become one of the most important commercial laying chicken breeds in the world.
Features
Pure white fur all over. Single bright red crest, large size, white earlobes, yellow bill, yellow legs, strong, slender, compact body.
Males weigh about 2.4-2.7 kilograms.
Females weigh about 1.8-2.3 kilograms.
They are alert, agile, and good at eating.
ability to produce eggs Start giving eggs at about 18-20 weeks of age, giving eggs with white shells.
The average production is 250-320 eggs per year. Some improved breeds can produce more than 300 eggs per year. The average egg weight is 55-65 grams per egg.
strength
✅ Gives a lot of eggs.
✅ Use less food compared to the amount of eggs produced.
✅ Grows quickly and enters the egg-laying stage quickly.
✅ Resistant to hot weather conditions well.
✅ Suitable for commercial farming.
weakness
❌ Not having much instinct to incubate eggs
❌ Quite easily startled
❌ Raising them as broiler chickens is not worth it. due to small size
How to raise
1. Greenhouse
Good ventilation
Protection from rain and sun
The floor is dry, not damp.
There is an area of approximately 3-4 pieces per square meter.
2. Food
Chicks (0-8 weeks)
Protein 20-22%
Feed ready-made chicks
Clean water all the time
Young chicken (8-18 weeks)
Protein 16-18%
Control your weight so you don't get too fat.
Laying hens (18 weeks and up)
Protein 16-18%
Calcium 3.5-4%
Add crushed shellfish or limestone.
3. Light management
Laying hens need 14-16 hours of light per day.
Use a light bulb during the night to stimulate egg production.
4. Health and vaccines
Vaccination should be done according to the program such as
Newcastle (ND)
Infectious bronchitis (IB)
Gamboro (IBD)
Chicken smallpox
5. Egg collection
Collect 2-3 times a day.
Keep your ovaries clean.
Sort out broken or misshapen eggs.
summarize
White Lekhorn chickens are one of the most productive egg-laying chicken breeds in the world. Its distinctive feature is that it produces many white-shelled eggs, uses little food, grows quickly, and is suitable for both commercial farming and small farms. If you take proper care of food, lighting and health. Will be able to produce more than 280-300 eggs per year continuously.