Langshan Thread!!!

[rodriguezpoultry]

The only issue is that people in the US automatically equate the Croad Langshan with dark, plum eggs. Whether or not the birds actually have it in their lineage.

They are an original breed, bred for 100's, maybe 1.000's of years, which is why they breed as true to type as they do. I have bred 100's of chicks over the years, and ever really "weeded" out maybe 10? Nearly 100% of my chicks can be used for breeding, the only thing I shall have to improve is their combs, even wattles get the right shape/size in the majority. Of course with the banties it is harder, as they are actually "made" from other breeds. It is (at least here in UK) amazing how they are similar to LF both in looks and character. I used to breed both white and black bantams, and they were really good types. Now I only breed LF whites, they do need all my runs/coops. I have tried to develop 2 lines/strains, and I have been lucky to find good outcrosses for them, and I have also "found" other strains, with breeders that are happy to swap a rooster once in a while, so the gene-bank are probably bigger now that 140 years ago here in UK. And then, there is you lot, the Americans with your lines/strains, so yes,


the future for Langshans are bright. Let us face it, there is no reason why you cannot call your Langshans Croads, because that is what they are.

 

[thorleif]

On the other hand, the eggs you described are few and far between even in England-land. And, the eggs from the lines of Langshan-hens that was developed (by selection) by Miss AC Croad and her followers laid a brown egg, according to the poultry-writers of 100 years ago. So, is a pink/plum egg a criteria for a Croad Langshan?

 

[PetRock]

Participated in processing chickens for the first time today. Friends of ours have 10 acres and raise all of their meat. They had raised a group of meaties that we processed today along with several silver penciled plymouth rock cockerels that I hatched and 2 of my black Langshan boys (numbers 3 & 4). It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and both of the black boys pecked me really hard today so letting them go was easy. After they sit in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 days, we are going to cook one of each breed to see what we think of the meat. Our friends would like to stop raising the meaties and raise 1 or 2 dual purpose heritage breeds instead.

 

[animalsRawesome]

Oooh. You will have to let us know how the different breeds compare taste/texture wise!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

On the other hand, the eggs you described are few and far between even in England-land. And, the eggs from the lines of Langshan-hens that was developed (by selection) by Miss AC Croad and her followers laid a brown egg, according to the poultry-writers of 100 years ago. So, is a pink/plum egg a criteria for a Croad Langshan?

You would think so by speaking to any person looking for eggs. It is an automatic "Do you have true Croad Langshans that lay the plum colored eggs?"

As soon as I hear or read someone ask me (usually via email) that they are looking for Croad Langshan, I know they are looking for eggs. Usually by the next 3 emails, I realize they are after the eggs and not for the love of the breed. They are simply looking to capitalize on another "fad" of some sort.

I received 2 such emails today...sorry if I'm a little short about it. It just bothers me that, instead of wanting a majestic bird that is proud, well-balanced and lays a nice egg, people are only interested in the color of the egg and have no regard for the breeding that a breeder has gone through in order to produce a bird that is bred for the conformation and/or eggs. It seems such a shame that one part of a breed's past seems to surpass all other reasons for breeding.

Please keep us updated on that PetRock! I'd be interested to see it! I usually cull WAY too early, but this batch growing up may surpass the birds I raised this year. Which means, the other grown birds are gonna be supper if the chicks keep growing the way they are growing!

 

[myhappyfeathers]

Rodriguezpoultry can you please tell me if you ship chicks or eggs on you standard langshans. They are absolutely beautiful, and would love to get some.

 

[thorleif]

I try to wait until they are 13-15 months before I have a slaughter-day, but I think it pays off to wait. The breast-meat on the young cocks seems to need more than a year to develop. Another thing that I find unique for the Langshans, is that 5-6 year old hens are surprisingly tender, and if you slaughter them while they are not laying, they are very easy to clean out the carcasses. Yummy-yummie. I also used to slaughter the Banties, but they did not have the same flavor/texure as the LF, but dont get me wrong, It was definatly worth doing. I often used their meat in pasta-dishes, as they were very fine-flavored, so it was best using in mildly seasoned dishes, so you can taste the meat. Never in curries or overpowering spices. I love cooking, I am sure I would have made somebody a good wife.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Rodriguezpoultry can you please tell me if you ship chicks or eggs on you standard langshans. They are absolutely beautiful, and would love to get some.

I definitely do ship eggs! I can't ship chicks, I'm not "technically" supposed to have chickens where I'm at, so I try to stay under the radar with the post office!

 

[PetRock]

I try to wait until they are 13-15 months before I have a slaughter-day, but I think it pays off to wait. The breast-meat on the young cocks seems to need more than a year to develop. Another thing that I find unique for the Langshans, is that 5-6 year old hens are surprisingly tender, and if you slaughter them while they are not laying, they are very easy to clean out the carcasses. Yummy-yummie. I also used to slaughter the Banties, but they did not have the same flavor/texure as the LF, but dont get me wrong, It was definatly worth doing. I often used their meat in pasta-dishes, as they were very fine-flavored, so it was best using in mildly seasoned dishes, so you can taste the meat. Never in curries or overpowering spices. I love cooking, I am sure I would have made somebody a good wife.

That's interesting to know. When you wait that long to slaughter them, is the meat tough and unsuitable for roasting? I know that these 2 boys were young but I couldn't keep them in town and my friend didn't want to continue to feed them on the farm if we were not going to consider them for breeding. They dressed out at 3.6 lb. and 3.9 lb. It will be interesting to see how they taste. They sure sampled me enough times. I have a bruise on my arm today from one of them. Yesterday, I handled more than half of all the birds before we slaughtered them and not a one of them bit or pecked me except for the 2 black boys. They are also the ones that picked on several chicks in the brooder and drew blood. I am hoping that Biggie Little and Mr. Wattles continue to grow and thrive on the farm. They are so much better tempered and I really want to keep their genetics in our breeding program.

 

[thorleif]

Hi Pet Rock. That is one of the most amazing things about the Langshans, no they do not get tough. Even an old hen can be roasted, maybe slow-roasted. That is one of the reasons why Langshans never really took off as meat-birds. It took too long. On the other hand, the Langshan will forage good, and can eat a lot of household-waste, so they need not cost a fortune to feed up, especially in warmer land than Wales. Grass can be the most important food for a Langshan, and that is cheap enough? I give mine a lot of milk to drink, all their lives. They love it, it contains animal proteins, and I think it helps with the delicate, fine texture in the meat, and I also think it is good for laying hens. And when I believe something, it is NOT easy to convince me otherwise. I think it is a good thing to eat all our surplus cocks, and i wish more people did. If you google "langshanji" you will see how highly people on the East coast if China value their meat.