Langshan Chicken: Origin, Characteristics, Price, and More!

Whether you want to expand your current flock or start one from scratch, you likely have questions about which breeds are most appropriate. The answer will depend on what you are looking for. Do you want high-producing hens, meat birds, or show birds? What if you could check all three boxes with one breed? Here, we’ll introduce Langshan chickens, which may meet all your needs. 

Let’s dive into the Langshan chicken’s origin, price, and more.

Where Did Langshan Chickens Come From?

Langhsan chickens have a long and storied history. They originally got bred in a district around 100 miles from Shanghai, China. Historians believe they may be one of the oldest breeds in the world. An Englishman named A.C. Croad brought them back to England in 1872. 

However, the story of the Langhsan doesn’t end there. Due to their similar feathers and the fact that they came from near Shanghai, many believed they were lesser Cochins. Several breeding attempts resulted. One went on to be the ancestor of Orpingtons. Other lines bred include the German Langshan, Black Langshans, Australian Langshans, and Modern Langshans.

The original Langshan is also known as the Croad Langshan. And, it was this line that got imported into the United States. Once the birds got to the United States in 1878, they remained extremely popular throughout the second half of the 19th century. 

Are Langhsan Chickens Rare?

Since Langshan chickens are primarily kept as show birds these days, they are rarer than many other breeds. And some varieties, such as the Croad Langshan, are even rarer. The United States and the United Kingdom have declared that Langshan chickens are a threatened species.

What Is the Langshan Chicken Best Known For?

Today, these birds are most well-known as show birds. They fell out of favor as production or meat birds during the 20th century. That said, if you aren’t interested in raising show birds, Langshans are excellent dual-purpose chickens. You can rely on them for high-quality egg laying and for delicious meat.

Langshan Chicken Characteristics

This breed is tall and almost lanky. It has long legs and carries its tail high. Langshans have some feathering on their legs and feet but aren’t completely covered. These medium-sized birds are sturdy. Males average 9.5 pounds, and hens average 7.5 pounds. The birds only have one comb. But they have a sloping back and deep chest, which makes them stand out even further.

Hens make fantastic moms, thanks to their broodiness. So, if you hope to raise a sizable flock, it is easy to do with these birds. They aren’t the most willing sitters, so you may need to help incubate the eggs. However, Langshan hens love mothering their chicks. Hens will start laying at approximately six or seven months.

These chickens enjoy flying and have no problem clearing a tall fence. They also adore foraging, so leave plenty of space in the yard for them. Langshan chickens are relatively cold-hardy but prefer not to live in the coldest environments. 

What Colors Are Langshan Chickens?

The black Langshan chickens have a slight greenish tint to their feathers. The American Poultry Association (APA) accepted this color in 1883. It wasn’t until 1893 that white sports became recognized. The blue variety was even later. Those are the result of cross-breeding between the black and white Langshans. The APA recognized blue Langshans in 1987.

One of the most notable aspects of Langshan chickens is their skin. It is white, standing in stark contrast to their deeply colored feathers.

Langshan Chicken Temperament

Langshan chickens are relatively calm and rarely show aggressive tendencies. They are friendly birds that enjoy their families and don’t mind confinement (most of the time). Because of their easy-going nature, they are great around families with young children and make good lap chickens.

Their docile temperament is also one of the reasons many people love keeping these birds for exhibition purposes. It also makes intermingling breeds easier. Langshans tend to get along well with other chicken breeds and other animals.

What Color Eggs Do Langshan Chickens Lay?

Langshan hens lay large, dark brown eggs exclusively. However, on occasion, you may find a few eggs with a slight purple-ish tint.  

How Many Eggs Do Langshan Chickens Lay?

Even though Langshans are considered dual-purpose birds, they actually lay a sizable number of eggs. You can expect at least 150 eggs annually. And if you take care of the hens well, they may reward you with an even larger haul. Some people even report upwards of 200 eggs annually.

Do Langshan Chickens Have Health Issues?

Thankfully, Langshan chickens have excellent immune systems. This fact makes them resistant to most health issues other breeds may struggle with. But that does not mean they are resistant to everything. This breed does face several challenges you will want to be aware of.

Langshans are susceptible to Marek’s disease (a viral infection), so some breeders may insist upon vaccinations. They also are prone to prolapse and bumblefoot. In most cases, both of these problems are treatable when caught in time. Keeping a close eye on your birds while feeding them or collecting eggs will help you catch problems early and address them promptly.

How Much Space Do Langshan Chickens Need?

As with many other breeds, Langshan chickens require four feet of coop space per bird. Beyond that, you can keep them in a free-range environment or set up a run. The former will require roughly 250 square feet per bird. The latter means at least 25 square feet per bird.

What Do Langshan Chickens Eat?

The answer to that question depends on their age. Chicks will need specific blends high in protein to help them grow and develop. You can then switch your birds to a grower feed. 

Ultimately, once your Langshan chickens reach maturity, you will want to feed them a high-quality blend. It can be store-bought or homemade, depending on your preference. However, it should be nutritionally balanced. You can supplement this feed with leafy greens or fresh fruits and other vegetables. 

You can also offer treats like crickets or mealworms on occasion. But these birds do love to forage. So, you can offer them plenty of room to roam, and they will likely find their own treats!

How Much Do Langshan Chickens Cost?

The cost of Langshan chickens varies based on several factors. One of the primary factors you need to consider is which variety you want to bring home. More common options, like black Langhsans, will be more cost-effective than rarer varieties.

Additionally, breeders sell their chicks based on several factors, each with their own price point. The fewer chicks you purchase at once, the more you will pay per chick. Their prices go down the more you buy. Males, females, and unsexed are also all priced separately.

Male Langshan chickens run between $4.33 and $5.45. Females cost between $6.45 and $7.94. And unsexed chicks range from $5.26 to $6.48. The more cost-effective prices come with a larger number of chicks purchased at once.

Summary of Langshan Chickens Characteristics

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