CHAPTER VI 



Black Leghorns 



One of the Most Popular Varieties of the Leghorn Family in Europe — There it is Bred Extens 

 Production — Bred Principally for Exhibition Purposes in England and America. 



THE following brief but comprehensive description of 

 Black Leghorns was written by R. C. Haeger and 

 appeared in a former edition of "The Leghorns:" 



'Black Leghorns were first imported from Italy in 

 1872 and admitted to the Standard in 1876. Although not 

 red extensively until the last three or four years, still 

 they are forging their way to the front, and 1 see no rea- 

 son why they are not equal to any of the other Leghorn 

 varieties, while in some things I think they surpass all 

 others. Their plumage being a black throughout does not 

 soil as easily as that of any other color. LTnlike most black 

 fowls, they are fine for table use, dressing yellow, and the 

 flesh being of fine quality. 



".As to fancy Eoints, the Black Leghorns are exactlj 

 like the Browns and Whites in symmetry. The plumage 

 should be a glossy black, although we find a great many a 

 dead black, which should suffer a cut for color. Breeders 

 should be careful of color of eyes, because I think Minorca 

 1)loo.d has brought in not alone dark eyes, but also black 

 shanks, coarse heads and shape of body. What would 

 Franklane Sewell think of a Langshan with a bay eye' 

 Although judges do not cut as frequently as they should 

 on color of the eyes, still I think it is of great importance 



"Another question among the admirers of this \a- 

 riety is, color of shanks. When first admitted they were 

 to be yellow, but finding they could not get as bright } el- 

 low as they wished, this was changed to the black. Then 

 again they were changed to yellow or yellowish black, 

 and that is what the Standard now calls for. In regard 

 to this argument, I will say that I do not try to breed 

 yellow shanks, first, because I do not think a solid yellow 

 shank belongs with a black plumage. None of our other 

 Ijlack varieties call for yellow shanks. Then why call for 

 them on Black Leghorns? Second, because I know that 

 nine-tenths of yellow-legged Black Leghorns either 

 throw off-colored feathers while chicks or when they molt 

 out as fowls. The best of them will do this, and that is 

 my principal reason for not trying to breed yellow 

 shanks. 



"I hold that the only color, and the proper color for 

 their shanks should be a yellowish black. I do not mean 

 l)y this that they should have a slaty black, but a bright 

 yellowish black on the shank, with the upper side of the 

 toes and the lower side of the toes and feet a pure yel- 

 low. By breeding the shanks and toes this color, we can 

 keep the plumage and other sections where they belong. 



"I think this question ought to be brought before 

 the judges as well as the breeders, for a careful consid- 

 eration, as hardly two judges cut alike on the color of the 

 shanks. I have score cards by several of the best judges, 

 and only two so far, have taken a yellowish black as 

 standard color. Some would cut half a point, while the 

 next one would cut one and a half points. Now while the 

 standard calls for a yellow or yellowish black, I can not 

 see why a yellowish black is not as near perfect as yellow 

 but there are judges who do not think that way. 



"I would like to hear what the judges, as well as 

 breeders, have to say about this, as it should be settled. 



so breeders may know what to aim for in breeding, as 

 well as to know what to bring out in the exhibition 

 room." 



In view of the above expressed opinion relating to 

 the color of shanks, it will be interesting to read what 

 Adam F. Noll, one of the most successful breeders of 

 Black Leghorns in America, has to say regarding yellow 

 shanks on Black Leghorns. Mr. Noll writes: 



"The Black Leghorn when first discovered had dark 

 or wilhnv shanks, but b3' careful breeding they are today 



Reproduced from a photograph by L. P. Graham. The male 

 istrated above, while rather coarse in comb and lacking a 

 11 furnished tail, is nevertheless a fine type of the variety, 

 ling most excellent, as the light and shade of the 



picti 



seen with solid yellow legs. I have bred them for nearly 

 twenty years for eggs and for the show room and know- 

 that S. C. Black Leghorns are one of the best varieties 

 both for utility and show room bred today. They are a va- 

 riety that do as well in confinement as on free range. The 

 cost of feeding is not so large as the heavier breed. 



"They are heavy winter layers when eggs are high in 

 price and make a good plump fowl when dressed for the 

 table. They always look clean in the pen, for being black, 

 they do not show dust or dirt the same as light feathered 

 fowl. When hatched they are strong and healthy, grow- 



