Leghorn Chickens

 

Leghorns are a chicken breed from Tuscany in central Italy. Birds were first exported to North America in 1828 from Livorno, on the Tuscan coast. Originally termed "Italians," the breed was renamed "Leghorn" in 1865, an anglicization of "Livorno." The breed arrived in Britain from America in 1870. Many countries employ white Leghorns as layer hens. Other Leghorn species are rare.

The Leghorn's origins are unknown, however it looks to be descended from light Tuscan breeds. They were first shipped to North America from the Tuscan port of Livorno. The first exports were reported in 1828, "about 1830," and 1852. They were called "Italians" until 1865, when they were called "Leghorns" in Worcester, Massachusetts.

American Standard of Perfection 1874 Leghorn, black, white, and brown (light and dark). It was followed in 1886 by rose comb white. Red, black-tailed red, and Columbian followed in 1929. Black, buff, silver and golden duckwing were added in 1981.

The breed was first imported to Britain in 1870, and then re-exported to Italy. White Leghorns from the 1868 New York Show arrived in Britain in 1870, and brown Leghorns in 1872. These birds were little, weighing around 1.6 kg, and were bred with Minorca and Malay stock to gain weight. Gold and silver duckwings evolved in Britain in the 1890s, from crosses with Phoenix or Japanese Yokohama birds. Observations of Buff Leghorns in England began in 1888.