Langshan Chickens: The New Zealand Keeper's Guide
~150 brown eggs a year · Large (3-4 kg) · tall, elegant heritage breed
The Croad Langshan is a tall, elegant heritage breed of Chinese origin, less common in New Zealand but valued by enthusiasts for its stately looks and calm nature. It lays a notably dark-tinted egg.
Eggs and laying
Around 150 to 180 brown eggs a year, often with a plum or purple bloom, and it lays reasonably through winter for a heavy breed.
Temperament
Calm, quiet and gentle, easy to handle and undemanding in a mixed flock.
New Zealand climate fit
Hardy and adaptable, coping with both cold and warm districts. Lightly feathered legs prefer drier footing, so a dry run helps in wet winters.
Care notes
An easy keeper for a heavy breed. Its rarity in New Zealand means sourcing stock from a specialist breeder rather than a general poultry sale.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about Langshan eggs?
They are a rich brown, often with a distinctive plum or purple bloom on the shell, and the birds lay reasonably well into winter for such a large breed.
Are Langshans rare in New Zealand?
Relatively, yes. They are a heritage breed kept by enthusiasts, so you will usually need to find a specialist breeder rather than buy them at a general poultry sale.
Are Langshans good-natured?
Yes, they are calm, quiet and gentle, which along with their tall, elegant appearance is the main reason people keep them.