Croad Langshan

Lore & Background

The Croad Langshan originated in the Langshan ('Wolf Mountain') area near Nantong, just north of the lower Yangtze River in China. Major F.T. Croad imported the first recorded birds to Britain in 1872, and his niece Miss A. C. Croad is credited with establishing the breed there. The Croad Langshan Club was formed in Britain in 1904. The name 'Croad' distinguishes the original utility type from the taller Modern Langshans developed for the show pen.

After the Second World War, numbers declined and the breed lost its UK club, but was rescued by the Rare Poultry Society until the club was reformed in 1979. Langshans were imported to North America in 1878 and admitted to the standard in 1883; White Langshans followed in 1893, and Blue in 1987. The breed was brought to Germany in 1879, and after the war Croad Langshans were reintroduced there from the USA.

The original Croad Langshans were black with a brilliant green sheen, still the main colour today. They are large-bodied with a deep, long breast, a sloping back, and a sharply rising tail forming a 'U' shape. Their shanks and outer toes are slightly feathered. They lay 140–150 dark brown eggs per year, are good winter layers, and are excellent sitters and mothers.

Reader's Guide

The Croad Langshan holds significance as a historic utility breed that contributed to the development of other notable chicken breeds, including Barnevelders, Black Orpingtons, and Marans. Its importation by Major F.T. Croad in 1872 and subsequent establishment in Britain marked the beginning of its influence in Western poultry breeding. The breed's resilience is demonstrated by its recovery after near-extinction following the Second World War, with the Rare Poultry Society and later the reformed Croad Langshan Club ensuring its survival. The breed's three recognized color varieties in the US—Black, White, and Blue—reflect its adaptability and continued presence in poultry standards. Its reputation as a good winter layer and excellent mother, combined with its fine-textured flesh, made it a popular choice for smallholders and farmers. The Croad Langshan also persists in its original homeland, China, underscoring its enduring legacy across continents.

Did You Know?

• The breed's name 'Croad' comes from Major F.T. Croad, who imported the first recorded birds to Britain in 1872.
• Croad Langshans lay dark brown eggs with a plum-coloured bloom.
• The breed was used in the foundation matings of Barnevelders, Black Orpingtons, and Marans.
• Blue Croad Langshans were not accepted to the US standard until 1987.