Australian Game
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Fun Fact
The Australian Game is one of the few Australian-developed chicken breeds, and its development paralleled the evolution of Australian identity — settlers bred it from British, Asian, and Indian stock to create something tougher, larger, and more resilient than any single parent breed, much as Australia itself was forged from diverse immigrant strands.
A large Australian gamefowl breed developed in the 19th century from imported Old English Game, Malay, and Asil bloodlines, selectively bred by Australian poultry fanciers for both the cockpit and exhibition. The Australian Game is a tall, powerful, upright bird with a pea comb, hard feathering, and a fierce, proud bearing. It is among the heaviest gamefowl breeds in the world, with a muscular frame, broad chest, and long, strong legs. Cockfighting was legal in parts of Australia well into the 20th century, and Australian Game was the breed of choice in the Australian cockpit. After cockfighting was banned, the breed was preserved by fanciers who value its imposing appearance and historical significance. The Australian Game is recognised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain (PCGB) under Hard Feather classification and is kept as an exhibition and conservation breed. Not yet recognised by the EE Europastandard.
🏷️ Breed
Australian Game
💭 Temperament
Proud, aggressive with other cocks, calm with keepers, intelligent, noble bearing
📏 Size
Large (3.2-4.5 kg)
⏳ Lifespan
5-8 years
🎨 Colors
Black-red, silver duckwing, gold duckwing, blue-red — typical gamefowl colour patterns
🌍 Origin
Australia — developed from English, Malay, and Asil imports, 19th century
🏠 Habitat
Individual housing for cocks essential; hens may free-range in pairs
🍽️ Diet
High-protein gamefowl pellets; substantial appetite matching its size
🎯 Purpose
Fighting
🥚 Egg Colour
Tinted
👑 Comb Type
Pea