Description The Isabella Leghorn was originated by Buddy Henry. Cackle Hatchery® bred this breed from some seed stock from Buddy Henry for 4 years. We, unfortunately, we have discontinued breeding and selling this breed for the 2018 season and beyond. The chicks would dehydrate fast during the shipping process which caused viability issues. Below is some of Buddy’s breeding history of this beautiful chicken breed. 2008 Lavender Orpington Male X Brown Leghorn Females from Cackle Hatchery® Result: Black offspring exhibiting gold in hackles & split for lavender, various leg colors, white earlobes and an overall leghorn appearance. Layer of light tan eggs. Generation 1 2009 Generation 1 Male X Generation 1 Females Result: 75% Chipmunk Pattern Chicks: Culled from breeding 20% Solid Lavender Chicks: Culled from breeding 5% Isabelle Pattern Chicks: Kept and revealed the same type as generation 1 but we now have generation 2 half Orpington, half leghorn 2010 Generation 2 Males X Brown Leghorn Females from Cackle Hatchery Brown Leghorn Males from Cackle Hatchery X Generation 2 Females Result: Generation 3 Cross 1 Split for Lavender Generation 3 Cross 2 Split for Lavender This generation appeared like brown leghorns only darker in color patterns. Pearl legs were still an issue but earlobes were white and eggs were finally white. 2011 Generation 3 Cross 1 Males X Generation 3 Cross 2 Females Generation 3 Cross 2 Males X Generation 3 Cross 1 Females Result: 50% Chipmunk Pattern Culled Same 50% Isabelle Pattern Generation 4 All birds kept and not separated. Product looks done but birds are still 25% Orpington and very heavy in appearance. 2012 Generation 4 Males X Brown Leghorn Females Don Schrider Show Line Brown Leghorn Males Don Schrider Line X Generation 4 Result: Generation 5 Cross 1 Generation 5 Cross 2 Generation 5 is a pure brown leghorn in every sense of the word. Excellent abundance of white eggs, large white earlobes, and all yellow legs. The only difference is these birds split for Lavender 2013 Generation 5 Cross 1 Male X Generation 5 Cross Females Generation 5 Cross 2 Males X Generation 5 Cross 1 Females Result: 50% Pure Brown Leghorns 50% Pure Isabelle Leghorns Same Today these birds breed true as well as many other ways to get the same result. Isabelle X Isabelle = 100% Isabelle Isabelle X Brown Leghorn = 50% Isabelle & 50% Brown Leghorn These birds meet ALL requirements except for the color of the American Poultry Associations Standard of Perfection Manual on a Leghorn.
