Altsteirer
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Wissenswertes
The Altsteirer and the Sulmtaler represent Austria's two distinct poultry traditions in a single region: the Sulmtaler was bred for the Viennese luxury table, while the Altsteirer was the everyday self-sufficient farmyard hen of ordinary Styrian farm families. They developed side by side in the same landscape for centuries, optimised for completely different purposes.
One of Austria's oldest and most distinctive chicken breeds, the Altsteirer (Old Styrian) originates from the Styria region of south-east Austria — the same landscape that produced the Sulmtaler. Unlike the heavy-set Sulmtaler, the Altsteirer is a medium-bodied, active dual-purpose bird with a characteristic small beard, pronounced muffs, and a small flat cushion comb. Its plumage comes in several varieties including partridge and wheaten. Recognised by the EE Europastandard, the Altsteirer was once widespread across rural Styrian farmsteads and is now a protected national genetic heritage breed in Austria.
🏷️ Rasse
Altsteirer
💭 Temperament
Active, alert, self-sufficient, hardy, friendly
📏 Größe
Medium (2.3-3.2 kg)
⏳ Lebenserwartung
5-8 years
🎨 Farben
Partridge (most common), wheaten, blue partridge
🌍 Herkunft
Austria — Styria (Steiermark); ancient breed; EE recognised
🏠 Lebensraum
Free-range; adapted to the alpine foothills and river valleys of Styria
🍽️ Ernährung
Layer pellets; excellent forager on alpine pasture
🎯 Zweck
Dual Purpose
🥚 Eifarbe
Tinted
👑 Kammtyp
Cushion
🏅 EE-Klasse
Large Fowl