Langshan Thread!!!

[Dirt Farmer]

Dirt Farmer: that boy is just gorgeous!

Thanks. I'm hoping the hens I have him paired with will add some height without losing the width.

 

[PetRock]

He's the two year old I bought at the Stockton show last year when he was 10 months old.

Ahhh...he might be related to my boy Shang. Sherry said that my trio comes from birds that she got from James Smith. Maybe down the road, we can do some trading.

 

[Dirt Farmer]

Ahhh...he might be related to my boy Shang. Sherry said that my trio comes from birds that she got from James Smith. Maybe down the road, we can do some trading.

I'm sure that he is from the same line. I have a hard time trading due to the NPIP thing, but I'll keep you mind if or when I have to part with the boys.

 

[BGMatt]

The American Langshan Club is finally putting together a website. It is still under construction but can be found at http://americanlangshanclub.webs.com

We hope to add a Breeder Directory soon, and many more informative articles. For now it has details on how to join, and contact info for all your regional directors.

 

[Dirt Farmer]

The American Langshan Club is finally putting together a website. It is still under construction but can be found at http://americanlangshanclub.webs.com

We hope to add a Breeder Directory soon, and many more informative articles. For now it has details on how to join, and contact info for all your regional directors.

I just checked this out. I think its a step in the right direction. I'm not generally a joiner but it has me thinking about it. I hope you're right about its future expansion. Seems like the breeds that garner the most interest are those that have a person who writes well behind them.
The Langshan is such an old and regal breed, truly dual purpose, better than average for winter eggs, yet not widely popular. I remember speaking with a local fellow who runs a backyard hatchery here about my fondness for them. From a commercial standpoint he said to most people they're just another black chicken. I've actually liked black birds since I was a kid. As they say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". In all maybe its good that the Langshan isn't out there. People will be outcrossing to create something different to sell. I suspect the biggest issue is that it takes a couple seasons to get mature birds. Maybe its the patience that makes the Langshan crowd such a pleasant group. I have a theory that different breeds attract their own audience. Birds of a feather...

I've finally started setting eggs. Looking forward to hatching through the end of the month. I would have preferred an earlier start but the hens had the final say. Maybe they know best. I promised away six of my first born and I want to meet that commitment, then I'll be stockpiling little chickens until I'm full up. I'll probably have to cut down to a couple pair, or even a trio or quad of my breeders but should be set for a better year next year.

 

[NYREDS]

You're way ahead of me. I finally broke up the breeding pen I had set up. After putting together a trio of one year olds, the hens quit laying and the cock didn't appear to have any mojo. The hens were all pristine. To top it off the hens pulled off most the feathers on his right leg. I put them all back together and the two year old cock mated about five times in the first couple minutes. Within a few days I was getting Langshan eggs again, from slightly ruffled hens. I cracked six today and found three to be fertile.
I'll probably find homes for two or three hens that I don't want to breed from, and go down to just the 2 year old cock. I know that's risky but noise is an issue since my nearest neighbor is only about 250 feet away. Some pictures taken today. You can click them bigger.


First picture showing that Langshan green. Second showing some fertility.



That's a normal sized two year old Legbar next to a one year old Langshan hen.

Lincoln inspecting the irrigation for a leak. (He found one.)

Lincoln having a "bad tail day" in the wind. (Yea, I'm smitten with this guy.)

Happy hen on a Spring-like day.

Nice looking birds! Langshans are one of the breeds I most enjoy judging. Their size & stately carriage make them standouts in the showroom.

 

[PetRock]

10 eggs from my new Langshan trio were set for hatch last night! Sunday is day 21 and I'm so excited! The eggs are big for pullets who have only been laying a little over a month. But then, these are big birds! I'll post pics after they hatch!

 

[Dirt Farmer]

Nice looking birds! Langshans are one of the breeds I most enjoy judging. Their size & stately carriage make them standouts in the showroom.

Thanks NYREDS. I'm hoping to grow a whole flock with beauty and utility. I've only had the Langshans for a little over a year. I'm learning and getting encouragement from the folks here on this thread.

10 eggs from my new Langshan trio were set for hatch last night! Sunday is day 21 and I'm so excited! The eggs are big for pullets who have only been laying a little over a month. But then, these are big birds! I'll post pics after they hatch!

Don't forget to take a group photo. By the way, I had previously stated that I was a bit disappointed in egg size with my hens. In the past couple weeks I've really noticed an improvement. Eggs are averaging 63-64 grams. They're bordering on extra large by the dozen. Guess I just wasn't patient enough. If I remember, without looking it up, the hens are slightly over a year old now.

 

[Laingcroft]

Two of my new 'B' line chicks at two weeks old. I'm thinking the first one might turn out to be a cockerel. Already holds that little feather stub of a tail right up whenever I approach the brooder. First one to step up and greet while the others huddle toward the back. The second one has a much lighter chick down but feathers are coming in black (and baby white). Don't think it's blue as neither parent is or carries blue to my knowledge but I was hoping The third chick from this test hatch flat out refused to have its picture taken today...unless you count a blur.

 

[PetRock]

Two of my new 'B' line chicks at two weeks old. I'm thinking the first one might turn out to be a cockerel. Already holds that little feather stub of a tail right up whenever I approach the brooder. First one to step up and greet while the others huddle toward the back. The second one has a much lighter chick down but feathers are coming in black (and baby white). Don't think it's blue as neither parent is or carries blue to my knowledge but I was hoping The third chick from this test hatch flat out refused to have its picture taken today...unless you count a blur.

Adorable! I'm kind of thinking the second one looks like a little cockerel, too!