White Leghorn — prolific white egg layer

The White Leghorn is the top producer for sheer egg volume, consistently laying 280-320 large white eggs per year. They are active foragers, excellent feed-to-egg converters, and heat-tolerant, making them the breed of choice for commercial egg production worldwide.

Why It Works

Leghorns have been selectively bred for egg production for over a century. Their light body weight (4-5 lbs) means more dietary energy goes to egg production rather than body maintenance. They begin laying at 16-18 weeks, earlier than most breeds.

Tips

• Leghorns are flighty and nervous compared to heavier breeds — not ideal if you want lap chickens
• Less cold-hardy than dual-purpose breeds due to their large single combs, which are prone to frostbite
• Their white plumage makes them more visible to aerial predators — secure overhead netting is important