Langshan

Breed Purpose:

Dual Purpose

Comb:

Single

Broodiness:

Frequent

Climate Tolerance:

All Climates

Egg Productivity:

Medium

Egg Size:

Large

Egg Color:

Brown

Breed Temperament:

Friendly, Easily handled, Calm, Bears confinement well, Quiet, Docile

Breed Colors/Varieties:

Single comb: Black, Blue, White. Some breeders are working on a Barred Langshan.

Breed Size:

Large Fowl

APA/ABA Class:

Asiatic

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The Langshan is a rather unique looking breed. It is an extremely tall looking chicken with a characteristic 'U' shape body. Besides it's leg length, much of it's height comes from the uprightness with which it stands. The breed's deep, full breast and exceptional depth of body, long back and the straight rising tail angle all contribute to its distinctive “U” shape.

Langshans are named after district around the Yangtsze-kiang River in China where they were developed over many centuries. There are four distinct types within the breed. The most popular version, is the original utility black Langshan, these became known as Croad Langshans in England, named after Major A.C. Croad, who was the first to import the breed into England 1872. They have lightly feathered shanks and outside toes, and are the most common type of Langshan in the US also. Another popular type is the German Langshan which is also very tall and clean legged. In England the long legged type known as the Modern Langshan was developed more for the show pen and the birds came to resemble the Modern Games. Then there was a shorter legged version resembling the Cochin. These birds were used in the creation of the Orpington.

The Lanshan is a dual purpose breed. They are considered good meat birds with the full breast giving an abundance of white meat. They are also a very hardy breed, considered easy to raise, they are quite cold tolerant and are heat tolerant. They are very good foragers and good flyers. The hens are very good layers, will go broody occasionally and make good mothers.

They have been used in the formation of many other breeds.

The APA recognizes three colors, the original Black, with White and Blue being added to the standard later.

It was recognized by the APA in 1883 and is on The Livestock Conservancy's list as Threatened.


Langshan eggs


Langshan chicks


Langshan juvenile


Langshan hen


Langshan rooster

For more information on this breed and their owners' and breeders' experiences with them, see our breed discussion here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-langshan.1005834/

Chicken Breed Info: Breed Purpose: Dual Purpose Comb: Single Broodiness: Frequent Climate Tolerance: All Climates General Egg Info: Egg Productivity: Medium Egg Size: Large Egg Color: Brown Breed Temperament: Friendly,Easily handled,Calm,Bears confinement well,Quiet,Docile Breed Colors / Varieties: Single comb: Black, Blue, White. Some breeders are working on a Barred Langshan. Breed Details: Some lines of birds are more frequent in being broody. My particular birds have gone broody six times each this year alone. The males are sweet, relaxed and gentle. Green sheen on males and females is desirable with purple sheen considered less desirable than green. Eyes should be dark, bordering on black. Face and wattles should be red with a medium-sized comb. This breed has done will in 100*F temperatures as well as sub-zero temperatures in the winter. Laying in high temperatures should not be expected. Eggs vary from light brown to dark brown and desirable eggs have a "plum" coloration to the brown.

Rooster ​ Hen ​ Egg ​ Chick ​ Adolescent ​