The American Langshan Club is the original Langshan club that has been promoting the breed in the United States since 1887. The club has over 100 years of history and contributions to the breed. Please consider becoming a member to help support the rich history of the American Langshan Club and breed!
The first Langshans are documented to have originated in China where they had been bred for many years for their reproductive and marketable meat qualities. Major Croad imported the Langshans to England from one of his voyages. These birds were deemed the "Croad Langshans" and is a separate type of fowl from the Australian, German and Modern Langshans available in the U.K. The birds within the United States originated from the English birds available thanks to Major Croad. However, the birds in the United States have dropped the "Croad" within the name sine the U.S. only has one type of Langshan.
The original color, black, was accepted into the APA Standard of Perfection in 1893. Shortly after, the white variety was accepted into the standard in 1893. The blue variety is a relatively new color to the breed and was admitted to the standard in 1987.
The bantam Langshans are relatively new to the standard as well. The black and white varieties were accepted in 1960 and the blue variety followed in admittance in 1987.
Since acceptance into the standard, the Langshan breed continues to be one of the most imposing and versatile breeds in the standard. Breeders of the Langshan strive to preserve the characteristics that the original breeders stored within the breed and history of the club.
LARGEFOWL:
The Langshan is a large, stately bird that always amazes anyone who encounters them. Their upright stance, calm demeanor and excellent dual-purpose qualities make the Langshan an asset and sight to any yard. While the Langshan is a slow-growing bird, the slow growth helps to ensure the frame of the bird is where the size comes from and not from heavy feathering or stitly body style. The height of the bird should not be achieved by the legs alone as each proportion lends to the overall structure and size of the bird. There neck, body depth and legs should be equal in proportion and balance.
The Langshan is an excellent layer of large brown eggs. The Langshan females tend to brood easily and are normally attentive mothers. The males are usually non-aggressive and can make an imposing sight in any yard. They are excellent foragers and do well in confined and free-ranged environments. They are cold and heat hardy.
According to the 2010 American Standard of Perfection, the standard weights are:
Cock: 9.5 lbs.
Hen: 7.5 lbs.
Cockerel: 8 lbs.
Pullet: 6.5 lbs.
BANTAMS:
The bantam Langshans are excellent layers of small eggs and provide an excellent amount of meat for their size. They retain the overall type of their Largefowl counterparts while providing the breeder with the ability to reduce their feed bills as well as keep them within a smaller area.
The females are very productive and are excellent mothers as well. They rival other breeds that produce fewer eggs with their brooding abilities. They are extremely healthy, active and curious birds that enjoy human interaction. The males are calm and do not seem to understand they are not the size of their larger counterparts as they may choose to prove themselves to birds multiple times larger than themselves. They are calm and friendly to humans and also enjoy interaction.
Per the 2010 American Standard of Perfection, the standard weights for the bantams are:
Cock: 36 oz.
Hen: 32 oz.
Cockerel: 32 oz.
Pullet: 28 oz.
*Photo provided by Wil Hanley.