Exchequer Leghorn Chicken
The Exchequer Leghorn Chicken is a very rare and good looking variety of the prolific egg laying Leghorn Chicken, the most popular commercial strain of white egg layers in the entire world. The Exchequer Leghorn is selected because of its uniquely evenly distributed white and black plumage. The Leghorn Chicken originated in Italy and was first brought to North America in the 1850s under the name Italian chickens. They name Leghorn came from a mispronunciation of the sea in which they were frequently transported through called the Ligurian Sea.
Leghorn Chickens will lay an astounding number of large white eggs per year, but the Exchequer variety, like other colored Leghorn varieties will not lay as many eggs as the White Leghorn or the Hybrid White Egg Layer. This breed will mature rapidly, reaching a maximum weight of 3-4 pounds for hens and 4-6 pounds for roosters, and they are not considered a viable option for meat production. These birds tend to be flighty and generally avoid human contact. Leghonrs enjoy free range environments, but they are adaptable to confined living as well.
The Leghorn is a vocal and active bird as well as an excellent forager. They can quickly convert their food intake into energy and require little physical maintenance. These chickens are excellent fliers and will roost in trees if they are raised as free range birds. |
