basic care
I.E. Meyer, a famous American Langshan breeder wrote more that a hundred years ago:
Never crowd your fowls! Keep their roosting place warm and clean; have your yards as large as possible; feed good wholesome food and be liberal with it.
Croad Langshans are not difficult to care for. However standard size poultry equipment is often too small for them.
Coop:
No animal does well in a cramped, dirty place. Housing must be
- roomy
- well ventilated
- dry
- dust-free
- clean
- free of vermin
- safe against predators
Several smaller houses, each with it's own run attached, are easier to manage than one big one.
The best house is comfortable for the chickens (dry, warm in winter, cool in summer) and easy to clean. Extra large doors for good access, removable perches, nest boxes and doorsteps help with cleaning.
Run:
A large run to each house is essential even in free-range management, so the chickens can be locked up safely when needed. It should be shady and cool in summer and dry and sunny in winter. It can be covered with bird net or similar if wild birds are a problem.
Perches:
Perching comes natural to Croad Langshans. It keeps them clean and dry. Perches are easier to keep free of mites and ammonia fumes than the floor. more->
Nesting boxes:
Hens like nesting boxes to be easily accessible, fairly dark, free from lice and mites and large enough to comfortably turn around. more->
Sand Bath
Croad Langshans crave sand baths to take care of their soft feathers and will dig themselves several rather large ones.
Feeding:
Clean water, a balanced feed suitable for the age of the birds (like layers pellets or growers pellets) and shell grit should be available at all times.
Additionally they love mixed grain, greens and fruit as a treat. Also kitchen scraps, but all these in limited amounts.