General Information
- 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
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/
