About German Langshan Chickens

German Langshan chickens (Deutsches Langshan) are a heavy and majestic chicken breed, selectively bred in Germany to refine the appearance and utility of the original Chinese Langshan.

The German Langshan is a distinct variety of the Langshan breed, developed in Germany at the end of the 19th century after the Chinese Croad Langshan was imported to Europe. German breeders, aiming for a tall, elegant, dual-purpose bird, crossed the original Langshans with other breeds like the Minorca and the Plymouth Rock.

The German Langshan is a large, robust, and exceptionally tall chicken. Its profile is its most striking characteristic, often likened to a "wine glass" due to its remarkably long legs, long, gracefully curved neck, and a backline that rises sharply to a high-set, short, and compact tail. Unlike the original Croad Langshan, the German variety has unfeathered (clean) shanks and feet, which was a key point of differentiation in its development. The shanks are typically a dark slate-blue to black color. They have a relatively small head topped with a single, erect comb, and red earlobes and wattles. Recognized color varieties include Black (often with a beetle-green sheen), White, Blue-laced, and Brown-breasted. The roosters weigh between 3.0 to 4.5 kg, with hens weighing 2.5 to 3.5 kg.

The German Langshan is a respected dual-purpose bird (Zwiehuhn). The hens are good layers, producing approximately 150 to 180 large, cream to light brown-shelled eggs in their first year. While often used for exhibition due to their elegant form, they are also valued for meat, offering a deep, full breast and high-quality flesh. In terms of temperament, they are generally calm, quiet, and peaceful birds, which makes them manageable for hobbyists and beginner keepers. Given their substantial body mass, they are not prone to flying and can generally be contained by a low fence, though they benefit from ample space to prevent them from becoming overweight.

Although popular in Germany, the German Langshan is considered a rare breed outside of its country of origin. In Germany, the breed, particularly certain color varieties, is classified as an "extremely endangered" heritage livestock breed, and dedicated efforts are in place to increase its numbers.