Langshan Thread!!!

[199787]

Not much here...I respect your statement on the breed and I think it's great that you take the lines very seriously. I have 3 little beau fords growing out. 2 little Roos and a light blue hen. They are very friendly sweet birds. I have 11 others just growing out right now. Most of the roosters are going to the freezer. I will post some pictures of the birds I am keeping at some point so hopefully I can get an evaluation and learn about the breed more. Being a newb is challenging and honest support is so valued.

Good night all!!

Lisa

 

[Dirt Farmer]

This is not to reference anyone on this site, however I believe I may put this as my introduction on my website. Unfortunately, I have gotten far too many emails about this issue and I feel as though I need to put a stop to it once and for all. I understand if this causes some ruffled feathers, however I feel it needs to be said. These are MY views only and of course, not the views of anyone else on this board. Please feel free to share, etc. if you so wish.

"I have sat back and tried to think of the nicest way to respond to your previous email. I'm sure I will step on toes, however:
I breed to protect the integrity and genetics of my chosen breed. My purpose is to perpetuate the genetics to the closest to the standard of perfection as possible. I do not breed for others to have my birds. I breed so that others who share my passion and outlook for the future of the breed may be able to help perpetuate the breed. I cannot control their breeding purposes but I can control which people have access to my birds I have worked so hard to maintain and breed for the betterment of the breed. Only those who show a true interest in the breed and not just one or two traits of the breed will have access to my birds. I have spent several years breeding these lines and the man before me bred them for close to 50 years. Out of all of the people he has sold to over the years only myself and 2 other people maintain his lines after he passed. I intend to follow in his footsteps. Some of my birds will wind up in auctions but those that do, were not worthy to be used in a breeding pen anywhere. Others will go to people that have been in contact with me for several years, have taken the time to know the breed and/or need help with their own breeding programs.
I do nor believe anyone can be overrun with chickens. They are simply one of the best animals out there, however please know that it is not a slight against you that I am trying to accomplish. I was entrusted with these birds and this line of over 60 years of history and I intend to maintain the integrity of the line and not risk the reputation associated with my line because of a shooting fancy for egg color. Did you see what happened with the Marans? The TRUE Ameraucanas? The Araucana? All because someone along the line sold birds for egg color only. I refuse to be the downfall of this line that is known for their confirmation, stately shape, gentle demeanor and lastly, egg production.
Again, I am sorry if you see this as a personal attack but my goal as a breeder, once again, is not to supply everyone else with birds. It is to maintain the lines I have been entrusted with to the best of my abilities and to propagate the best birds of this line as closely as possible to the Standard of Perfection for my breed."



Now that I feel a bit better, how is everyone doing? Anyone hatching any eggs? Have any broodies lately?

Just watching them grow. I had to put down my only blue cockerel. He got so weak in the legs that he could barely walk. I separated him and gave him a week of TLC but no improvement. None of the others seemed affected. Its a shame. He was extremely tall. I was hoping to see if he would fill in that giant frame. So I'm down to two black cockerels and five black pullets from my Padgett's purchase, a splash pullet from Ebay, and my original black cock that got me into all this, now about 17 months old. The pullets are 25-26 weeks and I've started to check the nests, anxiously awaiting that first egg.

I took a another look at your website. I think my cocks tail may actually be too broad. Not great overlap on the main tail. When the wind blows, I think a wild turkey got into the pen.

Regarding your statement, I know other breeders who feel the same way. Its sort of "casting pearls before the swine" for them in some instances. They have a great deal of personal investment in their birds. When people buy them and then don't stick with them, or worse put as many on the ground as possible to sell them, often using the breeder's name to pump up prices, its so out of sync with their own breeding goals as to be a waste. If you do use this on your website though, I would modify it into more of a statement about your breeding program, goals and philosophy; then just remove anything that sounds like a public offer to sell off the website. You could add a statement that you are very selective about sales and why. Otherwise it will sound like a bit of a mixed message. I know I contacted you once quite some time ago, before I got my Langshans, because the website encouraged it. You didn't have anything, and I didn't feel slighted. It would just cut down on inquirys. I want to personally thank you for your committent to perserving this old line (most people want to put their own name on a line) and helping people like myself with your Langshan knowledge. For the beginner advice is more important than stock. I've seen many a fine line deteriorate in my hands. Blessings on you and your flock.

 

[thorleif]

You are clearly going about it the right way, as people has done before you, and hopefully people will do after you. The best proof and guide will always be the standards of the breed, and looking at the American Standard and all the different European ones, makes one understand how well the breed is being preserved to the standards of more than 100 years ago. One of the main reasons for making this possible is the strong genes in the Langshans, a proof that the breed is not just old, but probably very old.But, even a breed with strong genes like this, makes it necessary to breed them well and selective, and the original type is there for us all to see in all the old poultry-litterature. It is quite remarkable to see how todays good Langshans look just like the Langshans of late 1800's and early 1900's. And then, by using a good selection of hens and cockerells to breed from, continue to preserve/improve the breed. And, anybody reading this, and wanting to breed this amazing breed: dont worry too much about making a wrong pairing/a few not-so-nice-looking generations. Some common sence and the strong genes of the Langshans will bring you back on track. It takes time to make perfect. Breed pure, as the Langshan is an original old breed, and I have NEVER heard of anybody bringing in another breed successfully. The exeption here may be the bantam, as they are a composite (man-made) breed.

 

[BGMatt]

You are clearly going about it the right way, as people has done before you, and hopefully people will do after you. The best proof and guide will always be the standards of the breed, and looking at the American Standard and all the different European ones, makes one understand how well the breed is being preserved to the standards of more than 100 years ago. One of the main reasons for making this possible is the strong genes in the Langshans, a proof that the breed is not just old, but probably very old.But, even a breed with strong genes like this, makes it necessary to breed them well and selective, and the original type is there for us all to see in all the old poultry-litterature. It is quite remarkable to see how todays good Langshans look just like the Langshans of late 1800's and early 1900's. And then, by using a good selection of hens and cockerells to breed from, continue to preserve/improve the breed. And, anybody reading this, and wanting to breed this amazing breed: dont worry too much about making a wrong pairing/a few not-so-nice-looking generations. Some common sence and the strong genes of the Langshans will bring you back on track. It takes time to make perfect. Breed pure, as the Langshan is an original old breed, and I have NEVER heard of anybody bringing in another breed successfully. The exeption here may be the bantam, as they are a composite (man-made) breed.

You're dead on about the strong genes. When I was young and stupid I decided to try and make barred Langshans by using a Barred Plymouth Rock (although I did use a production bird because of the tendancy to have high tail angle), the F1's came out needing some work on the barring but they were unmistakably Langshan type and size. I was shocked really.

The only thing that worries me is if we get these folk that buy into the whole "plum eggs" myth. If people start chasing that white rabbit down the bunny hole they could cause some real damage to the breed.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Just watching them grow. I had to put down my only blue cockerel. He got so weak in the legs that he could barely walk. I separated him and gave him a week of TLC but no improvement. None of the others seemed affected. Its a shame. He was extremely tall. I was hoping to see if he would fill in that giant frame. So I'm down to two black cockerels and five black pullets from my Padgett's purchase, a splash pullet from Ebay, and my original black cock that got me into all this, now about 17 months old. The pullets are 25-26 weeks and I've started to check the nests, anxiously awaiting that first egg.

I took a another look at your website. I think my cocks tail may actually be too broad. Not great overlap on the main tail. When the wind blows, I think a wild turkey got into the pen.

Regarding your statement, I know other breeders who feel the same way. Its sort of "casting pearls before the swine" for them in some instances. They have a great deal of personal investment in their birds. When people buy them and then don't stick with them, or worse put as many on the ground as possible to sell them, often using the breeder's name to pump up prices, its so out of sync with their own breeding goals as to be a waste. If you do use this on your website though, I would modify it into more of a statement about your breeding program, goals and philosophy; then just remove anything that sounds like a public offer to sell off the website. You could add a statement that you are very selective about sales and why. Otherwise it will sound like a bit of a mixed message. I know I contacted you once quite some time ago, before I got my Langshans, because the website encouraged it. You didn't have anything, and I didn't feel slighted. It would just cut down on inquirys. I want to personally thank you for your committent to perserving this old line (most people want to put their own name on a line) and helping people like myself with your Langshan knowledge. For the beginner advice is more important than stock. I've seen many a fine line deteriorate in my hands. Blessings on you and your flock.

I think I remembered our discussion on that one. I need to revamp my website, that's for sure. I suppose when I get another laptop or desktop that is MINE I will try for it. It's just too hard to try to do it on a laptop without a mouse and on a Mac!

Those broad tails will really help your hens tails. I like wide tails, but some of them can take on the "turkey" look. My first male definitely did, but he was bred to a tighter-tailed female and the chicks came out with a bit better width than the male and female had. It was a good mix between the two and really glad that Forrest handed those birds to me as a pair instead of letting me choose different birds. I had an idea what I wanted, but if I'd had gone with the widest tailed female, I would probably have not made it with these birds. Somehow..he knew! LOL!

If you happen to need some blues, let me know. For some reason, I'm hatching out quite a few of those this year! On all of my grow up birds, I have to decrease the protein after about the first 2-3 weeks. Otherwise, the males seem to get legs that blow out from under them. I try to feed, at most, 18% for my LF chicks. The bantams don't seem to have the same issue.

 

[199787]

As far as the plum eggs go, if I get some more different colors in the eggs cool, but I wouldn't breed for it specifically.

Lisa

 

[Dirt Farmer]

I think I remembered our discussion on that one. I need to revamp my website, that's for sure. I suppose when I get another laptop or desktop that is MINE I will try for it. It's just too hard to try to do it on a laptop without a mouse and on a Mac!

Those broad tails will really help your hens tails. I like wide tails, but some of them can take on the "turkey" look. My first male definitely did, but he was bred to a tighter-tailed female and the chicks came out with a bit better width than the male and female had. It was a good mix between the two and really glad that Forrest handed those birds to me as a pair instead of letting me choose different birds. I had an idea what I wanted, but if I'd had gone with the widest tailed female, I would probably have not made it with these birds. Somehow..he knew! LOL!

If you happen to need some blues, let me know. For some reason, I'm hatching out quite a few of those this year! On all of my grow up birds, I have to decrease the protein after about the first 2-3 weeks. Otherwise, the males seem to get legs that blow out from under them. I try to feed, at most, 18% for my LF chicks. The bantams don't seem to have the same issue.

Thank you for that offer. Presently I can't act on it but I hope I can rain check it. It never dawned on me that my cockerel may have suffered only from growing. I'm so disease conscious that's all I considered. I was feeding 18%, and this guy was growing like a weed. Maybe I'll drop it down to 16% next time by measuring in some oats. I marked the two foot level on the side of the run to estimate height at one time (I have a need to quantify). He was just over it when not quite five months old, in a normal stance. My older cock is only about a inch taller, but could blow him over with a crow. I would like to add to the virtues of the Langshan here as well. Due to limited space I housed my cockerels and the original cock together. The youngsters give him his berth but there has been no fighting. Not one peck, just a step in the direction of and a dirty look. I suspect someday one of the cockerels may think he could compete but I hope to have each in his own space shortly.

 

[BGMatt]

Thank you for that offer. Presently I can't act on it but I hope I can rain check it. It never dawned on me that my cockerel may have suffered only from growing. I'm so disease conscious that's all I considered. I was feeding 18%, and this guy was growing like a weed. Maybe I'll drop it down to 16% next time by measuring in some oats. I marked the two foot level on the side of the run to estimate height at one time (I have a need to quantify). He was just over it when not quite five months old, in a normal stance. My older cock is only about a inch taller, but could blow him over with a crow. I would like to add to the virtues of the Langshan here as well. Due to limited space I housed my cockerels and the original cock together. The youngsters give him his berth but there has been no fighting. Not one peck, just a step in the direction of and a dirty look. I suspect someday one of the cockerels may think he could compete but I hope to have each in his own space shortly.

That's one thing that raising Langshans spoils you to, different ages together, males running together, very few breeds can do that. I have never ever ever had to break up a fight in my Langshan pens, nor even witnessed one, actually come to think of it I'm pretty sure my Brahma and Cochin large fowl never had any issues between males either. Must just be an Asiatic thing.

 

[199787]

My roosters get along too. I have six 3.5 month olds in with 6 hens and a silkie of the same age. I am moving the girls soon, but they are all very well behaved. My older rooster even allows my young Buff Orphington roo to mount hens in his presence.

 

[PetRock]

Have any of you ever hatched a tail-less Langshan chick? My friend who owns the farm where my breeding stock is hatched some eggs from our birds when they were free-ranging together. She has one splash pullet (around 16 weeks old) that is tail-less. Her tail feathers were not pulled out by her flock mates. She has never had any. Her back end looks like an Araucana. The flock was comprised of all 4 colors of Langshan both roos & hens, 4 Silver Pencilled Plymouth Rock hens, and an all black hen that looks to me like she is at least partially Sumatra. Of course, we won't breed this little Splash pullet but she is adorable and my friend will probably keep her in her layer flock. I'll have to remember my camera next time I go out there and take some pics. Our white roo, Gandalf, has gotten huge! I wish that we had more than one hen for him.