Leghorn Bantam

The Leghorn Bantam is characterized by its sleek, elongated landfowl shape and proud carriage. They possess a typical wedge-shaped body that suggests high productivity. Their most prominent features are the bright yellow legs and beak, which contrast sharply with their large, pure white earlobes.

• Comb: Typically a large single comb with five distinct points. In the United States and Europe, Rose Comb varieties are also recognized.
• Eyes: Ideally a fiery orange-red.
• Legs: Clean (unfeathered) and vibrant yellow.
• Body: Full breast with a long, sweeping back line that transitions into a well-spread tail.

Despite their small size, Leghorn Bantams remain one of the most productive egg-laying miniatures. They are capable of laying between 160 and 200 eggs per year, which is exceptionally high for a bantam breed. The eggs are consistently pure white and weigh approximately 1.2 oz (35g).

Hens are known to be non-sitters, meaning they rarely go broody. This makes them ideal for enthusiasts focusing on egg volume rather than natural brooding. Their efficiency is legendary, they convert a small amount of feed into a high volume of eggs.

Roosters are energetic and weigh between 1.6-1.9 lbs (750-850g). They feature a large, upright single comb and an impressive tail with long, flowing main sickles. The rooster's carriage is particularly bold and upright.

Hens are smaller, weighing 1.4-1.6 lbs (650-750g). A distinct characteristic of the Leghorn hen is her comb carriage: while the front remains upright, the remainder of the comb typically folds gracefully to one side, often partially covering the eye. A hen with a perfectly upright comb is often penalized in show standards as it may lack the femininity required for the breed.

Originating from Mediterranean stock, Leghorns are excellent in warm climates. Their large combs and wattles act as efficient heat radiators. However, they are also remarkably hardy and winter-tough, provided their coop is dry and draft-free.

Owners in cold regions must be cautious of frostbite on the large combs of the roosters. Providing a sheltered environment or using petroleum jelly on the combs during extreme freezes is recommended. Because they are active and move frequently, they tend to stay warm as long as they are well-fed and dry.

The Leghorn Bantam boasts an extensive range of recognized colors. The most iconic and common is the White variety, prized for its purity and contrast with the yellow legs. Other classic colors include Black, Buff, and Brown (Partridge).

More specialized patterns include Silver, Exchequer (a mottled black and white), Columbia, and Red-Shouldered White. In the Netherlands and Germany, breeders have developed unique variations like the Isabel and various 'flitter' patterns (Goudflitter and Zilverflitter), which highlight the breed's versatility as an exhibition bird.

The Leghorn breed originated near the port city of Livorno, Italy (from which the name 'Leghorn' is derived). The bantam version was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Early development occurred in England and the United States, focusing on miniaturizing the utility traits of the large fowl.

In Germany, the first Leghorn Bantams appeared in the early 1900s, initially in the Partridge variety. Following World War I, White and Red-Shouldered White varieties became established. In the Netherlands, the breed was officially recognized in 1906, and since then, Dutch and German breeders have been instrumental in refining the elegant 'landfowl' type seen in modern shows.