Croad Langshan
The Croad Langshan is the British-maintained form of the Langshan chicken, descended from large black birds imported from China in the 1870s and promoted by the Croad family. It is a tall, deep-bodied Asiatic breed with a rising U-shaped outline, long legs, and light feathering on the shanks and outer toes. Black is the classic color with a beetle-green sheen, while some standards also recognize white or blue. The breed should look long-legged and deep rather than squat or overly fluffy.
Croad Langshans are kept by heritage poultry breeders for utility, exhibition type, and brown eggs that may carry a plum-colored bloom. They mature more slowly than commercial hybrids, but a well-grown bird has useful table qualities. Feathered feet require dry runs in muddy climates, and large birds need sturdy roosts set at sensible heights to reduce leg strain. Breeding selection should weigh body depth, tail carriage, sound legs, egg color, fertility, and true Croad type rather than size alone.
Colors: Barred, Birchen, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Columbian, Crele, Cuckoo, Duckwing, Gold, Gold Laced, Laced, Lavender, Mille Fleur, Mottled, Partridge, Penciled, Porcelain, Red, Silver, Silver Laced, Spangled, Splash, Wheaten, White
