Tall and elegant, the Langshan is an ancient Chinese breed from Wolf Hill on the Yangtze, first exported to England in 1872 by Major Croad. It stands out for its long legs, deep chest, glossy (often black) plumage and lightly feathered shanks, giving it a stately silhouette. Despite the size it's remarkably calm and docile, which has long made it an exhibition favorite, and hens lay a respectable number of eggs tinted pink to light brown. Cold-hardy and gentle, it suits keepers wanting a striking heritage dual-purpose bird.
Beginner friendly
Quiet breed
Good with kids
Cold hardy
Broody
Egg colorPink, Light Brown
Egg production180–250 / year
TemperamentDocile
BroodinessFrequent
ClimateCold hardy
PurposeEggs, Meat
Weight
Large fowl (Standard size)
Hen7.5 lb
Rooster9.5 lb
Bantam (Miniature size)
Hen1.9 lb
Rooster2.1 lb
How to spot it
CombSingle
Single comb, medium
Earlobes
Red
Legs & feet
Long dark slate-blue legs with light feathering down the outer shank and outer toe; pinkish-white skin
Look for
Unusual height and a deep U-shaped back-to-tail sweep — the tallest, most upright of the feather-legged Asiatics
Ancestry
How this breed was developed. Historical records, not crosses to make today.
Single
Australorp
Orpington
