Leghorn chickens were was first bred in Italy, then imported to the US where the breed was refined. There are numerous color varieties that have been developed, including black, brown, buff, partridge, pile, exchequer, golden and silver duckwing, cuckoo and mottled, although the white is thought to be the first color that was imported to the UK around 1869. The males have a single comb, while the females have a double folded comb. They have long, thin wattles, white ear lobes and yellow legs.

Leghorns have friendly, alert temperaments, enjoy active foraging and are flighty, so enclosures should have sides that are high enough to contain them. They are prolific layers of large white eggs and can lay up to 250 per year. They are a hardy, fertile breed that does not go broody. They can adapt to most conditions but they do need attention in cold climates as the large combs are susceptible to frostbite. The males weigh around 3.4 kg and the females 2.5 kg. There are also bantam versions of Leghorns available.