Croad Langshan Bantam

The Croad Langshan Bantam is a sturdy bantam with great body depth and an upright posture. It has a broad body throughout its length and is deep from the front. The shanks are lightly feathered, with four long toes, of which only the outer toe is feathered.

• Weight: Roosters typically weigh between 3.09-3.53 lbs (1400-1600g), while hens weigh 2.65-2.87 lbs (1200-1300g).
• Comb: They have a single comb, barely medium-sized, fine in texture, straight and upright, regularly serrated with preferably five points. The comb heel follows the curve of the neck without touching it, and it is a lively red.
• Head: Medium-sized, fairly broad, with a smooth, lively red face.
• Eyes: Quite large, dark brown.
• Earlobes and Wattles: Oval-round earlobes, red. Wattles are barely medium-long, well-rounded, and fine in texture, red.
• Feathering: The plumage is quite soft and close-fitting, with richly developed hackle covering the shoulders well. The tail is full and well-developed, well-spread and carried high, with sickles extending well beyond the broad main tail feathers.

Croad Langshan Bantams are known for their respectable egg production for a bantam breed. They are not as prolific as some utility breeds but offer consistent laying.

• Egg Production: Hens can lay approximately 150-180 eggs per year.
• Egg Size & Color: They lay small to medium-sized brown eggs, with an average weight of about 1.2 oz (35g).
• Broodiness: Croad Langshan Bantam hens are generally considered to be good broodies, making them suitable for natural incubation and raising chicks.

Beyond the typical secondary sexual characteristics, there are no significant structural differences between Croad Langshan Bantam roosters and hens. Both sexes share the breed's deep body and upright carriage.

The rooster will have a full, richly developed hackle and saddle feathering, contributing to its stately appearance. Its tail is well-developed, carried high, and features long, gracefully curved sickles that extend well beyond the main tail feathers.

The hen also has a deep, broad body and maintains an upright posture. Her tail is full and well-developed, but the sickles are absent (as in hen-feathered breeds) or less pronounced than in the rooster.

The Croad Langshan Bantam is a hardy breed, adapting well to various climates. Their soft, close-fitting, and full feathering provides good insulation, making them tolerant of colder conditions.

Their lightly feathered legs require some attention in wet or muddy conditions to prevent issues, but generally, they are robust birds. They do not have high demands for housing and are well-suited to spacious runs or free-range environments where they can display their active nature.

Croad Langshan Bantams are recognized in several color varieties, mirroring those of their large fowl counterparts. The main varieties include:

• Black: Entire plumage is a deep, glossy black with a strong beetle-green sheen.
• White: Pure, clean white plumage.
• Blue: An even shade of blue, often with darker lacing.
• Cuckoo: A barred pattern of light and dark grey or blue, giving a distinct cuckoo effect.