Langshan
Dual purposeChinaBeginner friendly
Imported from the Langshan district of China in the 1870s, this tall, deep-bodied breed carries itself with almost storklike posture on lightly feathered legs. It's an adaptable, gentle bird that lays dark brown eggs and handles weather extremes with old-breed toughness.
Eggs per year
150–200
Egg color
Dark brown
Egg size
Large
Hen weight
7–8 lbs
Temperament
Calm and dignified
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
Some Langshan eggs carry a plum-colored bloom over the brown shell, giving them a subtle purple cast prized by egg-basket collectors.
Langshan egg production
Expect roughly 150–200 dark brown eggs a year from a Langshan in her prime — about 3–4 a week, or 13–17 dozen over the course of a year. That makes it a solid, dependable layer. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Langshan is generally described as calm and dignified. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Langshan rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It handles summer heat comfortably too, given shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Langshanhen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Langshan hen is a large bird at 7–8 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Langshan right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You'd like dark brown eggs in the basket
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
Think twice if…
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
Langshan FAQ
- How many eggs do Langshan chickens lay?
- A healthy Langshan hen lays about 150–200 dark brown eggs a year — roughly 3–4 a week, or 13–17 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Langshans lay?
- Langshans lay dark brown eggs, large in size.
- How big do Langshan chickens get?
- A Langshan hen weighs roughly 7–8 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Langshans cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Langshan is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Langshans good for beginners?
- Yes. The Langshan is a forgiving, calm and dignified breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Langshan hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Langshan hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
The Langshan shows up in
More breeds to explore
Keeping Langshans?
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