The original standard was drawn up sometime around the turn of the 19th/20th century to encourage people to keep breeding the old breed true. Already the breed was changing. Reading of old records and writings put the run of the mill weights around 3&1/2 to 4&1/2 pounds, with  the heavier cocks called shake-a-bags (being the odd larger bird). By the late 1800,s however, and with the show fraternity taking over from the pit, birds were getting bigger and bigger. The oxford standard recommends weights be between 4lbs & 5 1/2 lbs, it is not considered desirable to breed males over 6lbs(2.7kg) Hens are generally between 2 to 3 lbs(<1.4kg).

    The standard must be read in context, i.e. within keeping of the purebreed .E.G.-wide shoulders does not mean the wider the better, but is simply describing the general cone shape of the fowl, i.e.. wide at shoulders tapering to tail.  Just as the thighs are to be short-but not like those of a Japanese bantam. It is hard today for the oxford old english gamefowl breeder  to win prizes at their local shows. In the U.K. classes and judges are generally provided for both types, (carlisle&oxford). Unfortunately in Australia many do not recognize the 2 distinct types as they do in Britain .

   Generally the old oxford style birds have to compete in the same class as the modern exhibition type birds. The majority of judges today tend to favour the modern carlisle, or exhibition type fowl, which conform to some of the points of the oxford standard. This has resulted in many breeders of the old style of old english game, not even bothering to show their birds any more, or else worse- discarding their fowls and switching to the modern type of "old" english game being favoured presently.

   The 'Oxford Gamefowl Breeders Association of Australia' inc. is a club devoted to safeguarding the true breed of  old english game fowl. One of the main objects of the club is to promote and encourage, on a national basis, an interest in breeding and maintaining the oxford old english game fowl, for exhibition, and to maintain the excellence of the breed in accordance with the 'oxford old english game fowl club's "Standard of perfection".

   Every year the association holds its annual show at Boonah, QLD. It is a specialist show with a very strict system of judging. Birds are separated  into weight divisions, rather than colour- thus making it a fair and unbiased competition. Of prime import are qualities such as constitution, fitness and heel, after all without these one could hardly call their bird a 'gamefowl'. Examples of almost any colour variety available as well as muffs, tassles,  hennies etc. turn up at this show. It is a fine example of the hundreds of varying strains and colours that make up this wonderful breed. Regardless of who wins it is an enjoyable day had by all as fellow gamefowl fanciers get together. Many travel hundreds of kilometres, and interstate, for this event.

    As  our association educates people about the breed, more and more local clubs are providing classes for 'oxford old english game' at their annual shows. Many are amazed at just how many birds are entered in these shows when classes are provided for them. The old english game that were commonplace and plentiful in shows 60 and 70 years ago, can once again be seen at these shows. Hopefully one day shows throughout the country will be open-minded enough to provide classes for both types of old english game, just as the " British Poultry Standards" book includes the two types of old english game-(that is the modern 'carlisle' and the ancient 'oxford' ). Once again this ancient of breeds can take its rightful place in the show pavilion.