Altsteirer
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Fun Fact
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.
🏷️ Breed
Altsteirer
💭 Temperament
Active, alert, self-sufficient, hardy, friendly
📏 Size
Medium (2.3-3.2 kg)
⏳ Lifespan
5-8 years
🎨 Colors
Partridge (most common), wheaten, blue partridge
🌍 Origin
Austria — Styria (Steiermark); ancient breed; EE recognised
🏠 Habitat
Free-range; adapted to the alpine foothills and river valleys of Styria
🍽️ Diet
Layer pellets; excellent forager on alpine pasture
🎯 Purpose
Dual Purpose
🥚 Egg Colour
Tinted
👑 Comb Type
Cushion
🏅 EE Class
Large Fowl