White Livorno Chicken
Gallus gallus L
RISK OF EROSION: Threatened with abandonment
DESCRIPTION
The origins of the Livorno breed are not perfectly clear. However, it is believed that Livorno originated in central Italy, selected using light chickens: the name derives from the port from which, in 1828-34, these animals left for North America.
It is a light, slender and very elegant chicken, thanks to its rich plumage and long, showy tail. The University of Perugia preserves a strain that is particularly responsive to the ideotype of the breed as described in the historical testimonies.
BACKGROUND
The origins of the Livorno breed are not perfectly clear. However, it is believed that Livorno originated in central Italy, selected using light chickens: the name derives from the port from which, in 1828-34, these animals left for North America. In 1874 it was included in the American Standard of Perfection in the colors white, black and brown. The white was mainly selected for egg production. From America Livorno returned to Europe and mainly to England in 1870 and then returned to Italy. With its numerous varieties with differently colored coat it has spread all over the world. Only a few years ago the Italian breeders have as a reference the Standard of Livorno with autochthonous type (FIAV). At the time all the breeds did not have well-established and homogeneous morphological characteristics but with a strong hint on the production of meat and eggs and on adaptability. There is no trace of crossings made to modify the morphology, but only of a rigorous selection, by means of “trap nests”, to develop earliness and to increase deposition. The Animal Husbandry Section of the DSA3 of Perugia has bred this breed in the last 60 years, preserving it from crossbreeding and genetic drifts due to the lower production performance compared to commercial hybrids. The experiments have led to the identification and obtaining of an excellent product, the result of an (extensive) farming system with low environmental impact that improves the welfare of the animals and the qualitative characteristics of the productions.
TYPICAL FARMING AREA
The farms are amateur and widespread practically throughout Italy.
PRODUCTION ATTITUDES
Livorno is an excellent producer of white shell eggs. The white Leghorn can reach high average annual depositions (280 eggs), with peaks of 300-320. Males can also be used for the production of light cockerels. The adult weight of the animals of the animals is 2,500 / 2,800 kg in the rooster and 1,800 / 2,100 kg in the hen. They are to be considered very slow growing animals (10-15 g / day). The animals are early rearing and not predisposed to hatching.
Texts taken from “Regional register of autochthonous genetic resources of the Umbria Region”
biodiversita.umbria.parco3a.org/attivita/registro-regionale/elenco-delle-risorse-iscritte