Langshan
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Fun Fact
Langshan eggs are a distinctive plum-brown colour — darker than most brown eggs but not as dark as Marans. DNA studies show Langshan blood in both the Barnevelder and Marans gene pools, explaining where those breeds got their dark egg genes.
A tall, stately Chinese breed imported to Britain by Major A.C. Croad in 1872 from the Langshan district of Jiangsu province. Croad Langshans are distinguished by their graceful U-shaped body silhouette (when viewed from the side), black plumage with beetle-green iridescence, and lightly feathered feet. They are dual-purpose birds laying dark plum-brown eggs and growing to a decent table weight. Langshans contributed dark egg colour to the Barnevelder and Marans through crossbreeding.
🏷️ Breed
Croad Langshan
💭 Temperament
Calm, dignified, gentle, cold-hardy, easy to handle
📏 Size
Large (3.2-4.1 kg)
⏳ Lifespan
5-8 years
🎨 Colors
Black with beetle-green sheen; also white and blue
🌍 Origin
China — Langshan district, Jiangsu; introduced to UK by Major Croad, 1872
🏠 Habitat
Free-range or enclosed run; cold-hardy and adaptable
🍽️ Diet
Layer pellets; good forager on pasture
🎯 Purpose
Dual Purpose
🥚 Egg Colour
Dark Brown
👑 Comb Type
Single
🏅 EE Class
Large Fowl