Langshan Chicken Breed: Eggs, Size, Color, Care Guide, Pictures

Do you want to know all about Croad Langshan chicken? If yes this guide will tell you all about this breed.

If you are a chicken enthusiast, you might have, in one way or another, heard about the Langshan chicken breed. 

The Croad Langshan is an adorable bird. Getting a rare chicken breed into your home is never easy, especially if you have children.

In this article, we have provided you with detailed information regarding the Langshan chicken breed. It talks about its history, color varieties, lifespan, egg production, temperament, size, appearance, characteristics, problems, and how to take care of it.

Also read: Top 10 Best Rooster Breeds

History and Origin of Langshan Chickens

The Langshan chicken breed is considered a traditional Chinese chicken breed. This adorable chicken breed is believed to have come from an area on the outskirts of Nantong. 

Nantong is located in the lower area of the Yangtse-Kiang River in China. Additionally, this chicken breed is given the name Langshan in honor of the place in China where it is believed that they came from. 

The Langshan chicken breed is among the oldest chicken breeds. In 1872, the first Langshan chicken breed was imported to England by Major F.T. Croad.

Further, it is believed that Major Croad’s niece, Miss A. C. Croad, is the one who established this beautiful chicken breed in Britain. The Croad Langshan is the name given to the first breed acquired by the Croad family. 

After 1875, the Croad Langshan made its way to American shores. It is believed that the first Langshan chicken breed was imported from England to America by the ornithologist E. A. Samuels of Waltham, Massachusetts. 

The Langshan chicken breed was raised in America and Britain for its beauty, eggs, and meat. These hens were utilized as utility fowl until the Second World War, when they were no longer in use. 

Like many other chicken breeds, their numbers dwindled, as did the breed club, which eventually disbanded, leaving the breed without a club in the United Kingdom. 

The Rare Poultry Society did not save them until the late 1900s, when the breed was seriously endangered. In 1979, the Langshan Club in the United Kingdom was reformed.

Furthermore, the Croad Langshan chicken is said to have risen to prominence during hen fever. It was not, however, without trouble. Some chicken aficionados and fanciers were convinced that they were simply a variation of the adored Cochins. 

On the other hand, some people were equally zealous in their opposition to that idea. While the Cochins are beautiful birds, it was later discovered that the Langshans are unique. 

These magnificent birds can still be found flying over the world today. However, their numbers have decreased, and they are now on The Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List.

They have been labeled as endangered. Currently, there are multiple types of Langshan chicken breed varieties available globally.

Langshan Chicken Color Varieties

The Croad Langshan is available in multiple color varieties. However, there are only three official color varieties recognized by the American Poultry Association or American Bantam Association. 

The Langshan chicken breed color varieties recognized by the American Poultry Association include:

Black Langshan Chicken: This Langshan chicken breed color variety features a dark horn, shading to a pinkish horn at the tip of the beak, and bluish-black shanks and feet.

White Langshan Chicken: The white Langshan chicken breed color variety features slate-blue, shading to a pinkish-white beak and bluish slate shanks and feet.

Blue Langshan Chicken: This Langshan chicken breed has a dark horn that fades to a pinkish-white tip beak with bluish slate shanks and feet.

All these Langshan chicken breed color varieties recognized by the American Poultry Association have on their legs a pinkish tint between the scales. They also have a pinkish-white color at the bottom of their feet.

The American Poultry Association (APA) initially recognized the Black Langshan chicken as a standard breed in 1883. White Langshan “sports” were initially developed from Black Langshan flocks in England in 1885.

The American Poultry Association (APA) recognized them as a variation of Langshan in 1893. Crosses of the White and Black Langshans occasionally produced blue “sports.” The American Poultry Association (APA) did not recognize blue Langshans until 1987.

The American Poultry Association and the Poultry Club of Great Britain both recognize the Langshan chicken. 

The former only allows the following six categories of varieties:

• Large Fowl Black Langshan
• Large Fowl Blue Langshan
• Large Fowl White Langshan
• Bantam Black Langshan
• Bantam Blue Langshan
• Bantam White Langshan

Langshan Chicken Lifespan

The lifespan of most living creatures is determined by their health and care. These factors also determine the Langshan chicken breed’s lifespan. 

Langshan chicken breeds are generally very robust and hardy. The average lifespan of this adorable fowl is between 5 to 8 years. The Langshan chicken breed may get stressed and die earlier than its average lifespan with poor care and living conditions. 

Also, with proper care and healthy living conditions, your Langshan chicken breed’s lifespan may increase. It may even live for more than eight years.

Langshan Chicken Temperament

The Langshan chicken is one of the world’s sweetest chickens. With the attachment they form with their handlers, they are frequently compared to dogs. 

It appears that they attempt to get as close to their caretakers as possible. They, on the other hand, appear to be fine with simply following them around.

Additionally, the Langshan chicken breed is excellent for children. So, if you have children, you can entrust them to your Langshans. Even Langshan roosters have a reputation for being kind to children. 

However, there are a few considerations to take into account. This is due to the fact that all roosters are known to be aggressive; make sure you have spent time getting to know the kids before allowing them to play.

Furthermore, Langshan roosters are not as friendly or social as other birds on the other side. They are recognized for being considerably kinder to people, although they are also fine with other friendly breeds. 

If the other chickens were courageous enough to approach them, that is! Remember that the Langshans are huge, and this may cause other birds to be afraid of them.

Overall, the Croad Langshan are attractive pets, easy-to-handle birds. Even if you are a beginner, they are a fantastic option.

Langshan Hen Egg Production: Laying Age, Count, Egg Size, and Egg Color

The Langshan chicken breed is slow-growing. They are slow to mature, with the roosters taking longer than hens to fully mature. They may start laying eggs at the age of six months. 

This is the age at which the Langshan chicken breed may start laying eggs if you take good care of them and provide them with healthy surroundings. 

When you feed your Croad Langshans an appropriate diet and give them proper care, they will give you around four eggs each week. 

In a year, the Langshan chicken breed can give you between 200 to 240 eggs. Additionally, the Langshan chicken breed lays large eggs that are purple-brown.

When it comes to brooding, the Langshan chicken breed is known to be a seasonal brooder. The Croad Langshan brood, particularly during the transition. The transition period is always between the first quarter (around March) and the second quarter (around April).

Therefore, if you want your Langshan chicken breed to hatch and raise Langshan chicks, your timing should be right. 

During the transition period, the Langshan chicken breed is an excellent surrogate mother. After hatching eggs, the Croad Langshan hen is known to be a good mother.

Color, Size, Appearance, Characteristics of Langshan Chicken

Color

Generally, the skin of the Langshan chicken breed is white. They also produce white meat that is rich in flavor. Additionally, the original Langshan chicken breed is black, and has a green sheen. 

The Croad Langshan has dark brown eyes. They also have blue-black shanks with pink between their scales, pink soles, and white toenails.

Black: This Langshan chicken breed color variety features a dark horn, shading to a pinkish horn at the tip of the beak, and bluish-black shanks and feet.

White: The white Langshan chicken breed color variety features slaty blue, shading to a pinkish-white beak and bluish slate shanks and feet.

Blue: This Langshan chicken breed color variety features a dark horn, shading to a pinkish-white tip beak with bluish slate shanks and feet.

Size

The Langshan breed is generally a large chicken breed. The roosters can weigh up to 9.5 pounds (4.3 kilograms), while the hens can weigh up to 7.5 pounds (3.4 kilograms).

The cockerel can weigh up to 8 lb. (3.6 kg). A pullet can weigh up to 6.5 lb. (3kg). A bantam rooster weighs 36 oz. (1kg); hen 32 oz. (900g); cockerel 32 oz. (900g) and a pullet 28 oz. (794g).

Appearance

Langshan chicken breeds are large birds. Additionally, they are also tall critters, which their combs help to emphasize since their red, solitary combs stand high and upright most of the time. 

Their tails are also rather long, almost matching their heads in length. Their wattles and earlobes are also crimson, just like their combs. These birds are not as fluffy as Cochins and have more compacted feathers, although they do have feathered legs. 

They also have black legs, which complement the Black Langshans plumage nicely. Finally, they have four toes at the end of their long legs.

Characteristics

• A tall, huge bird with a full breast and a deep body, despite its modest bone structure.
• Tail feathers reach as high as the top of the head, forming a characteristic U shape.
• The eyes are a dark brown color.
• The shank and outer toe have substantial feathering, and the legs are rather long. Shanks have blue-black scales, pale pink soles, and white toenails.
• They are sweet and friendly, and they can easily bond with you as the owner since they have dog-like qualities.
• They are easy to handle.

Langshan Chicken Hen Vs. Rooster

Hens

The Croad Langshan hen is 7 pounds (3.2 kilograms) and has a clean single serrated comb. Her tail has fewer plumes than the male’s, and she may or may not have the male’s hock feathering. 

The dark eyes set within a well-balanced cranium give the character an appealing appearance. Bantam versions measuring 23-28oz (650-710g) are available.

Roosters

The statuesque Croad Langshan rooster has a lively, upright carriage that belies his 9lb (4.1kg) physique. The feathers of the Langshan chicken breed are soft and free, giving him the appearance of being larger than he is. 

A larger single comb contrasts nicely with the medium-sized wattles and gives the head a pleasing shape, while leg feathering hides the breed’s lengthy legs. Bantam cocks weigh between 27 and 32 ounces (770-910g).

Also read: Hen vs Rooster (Complete difference)

Benefits of Raising and Breeding Langshan chicken

There are multiple benefits to keeping the Langshan chicken breed in your home. Some of the benefits include:

They are hardy

Because of their hardiness, you can rear the Langshan chicken breed in a variety of environments. They are tolerant of all soil types and climate conditions.

Excellent egg production

The best aspect of the birds is the high quality of their eggs. They are capable of producing not just a large number of eggs but also large and attractive ones. 

Furthermore, Croad Langshan hens are excellent at raising their chicks. As a result, you can benefit from their maternal instinct.

Quality meat

This adorable bird is large and can be raised for meat production. The meat of the Langshan chicken breed is white and is rich in flavor.

Stunning appearance

Apart from excellent egg production and quality meat, the Langshan chicken breed is beautiful. Due to their beauty, these birds can be used for decoration. Besides, the Croad Langshan breed is quite attractive compared to other breeds.

Easy to manage

They have a variety of appealing traits, including being docile, readily tamed, and kind. They don’t have a hard time making friends with other hens or their owners. You can also keep them as children’s pets.

Problems with raising Langshan chicken

There are multiple problems associated with raising the Langshan chicken breed, and they include:-

• They require a large living space.
• Despite the Croad Langshan breed being hardy, they may require more care in severe weather. For example, when temperatures become intense, you may need to make shady spots for them.
• If you don’t have a large space in your backyard, try to build or buy a good quality portable chicken coop.

Also read: How much space do chickens need?

FAQs

Are Langshan chickens rare?

There has been a global decline in the number of Langshan chicken breeds. They are a rare and endangered breed.

Do Langshan Chickens have a good personality?

Langshan chicken breed is docile, friendly, and easy to care for. They are even excellent around children.

How Much Do Langshan Chickens Cost?

The cost of the Langshan chicken breed depends on the region and its availability. The average cost of a male Langshan chicken breed is around $3.98, while the female is $6.31.

Where to Buy Croad Langshan in the USA?

The Langshan chicken breed is quite rare. You will not easily find them in sales or auctions. You can source it directly from a breeder when you want to buy Croad Langshan.

Where did the Langshan chicken breed originate?

The Langshan chicken breed originated in China, specifically around the Langshan area.

Summary

Indeed, the Langshan chicken breed is an excellent bird. This chicken breed is friendly and easy to care for, even if you are a beginner or if you have children. 

The Croad Langshan can be kept for multiple purposes, such as meat, eggs, and beauty. The Langshan chicken breed is a must-have chicken breed in your home if you want a friendly bird with dog-like qualities.