Cubalaya Thread For Sharing Pics and Discussing Our Birds

[cubalaya]

speaking of asil, i really like the trio that i have. they are intelligent and act almost like pets. hopefully will have some cuba/asil grades hatch this week. i have already collected more eggs for the incubator next hatch. have some 3/4 cubaX1/4thai chicks on the ground and more ready to hatch.

 

[saladin]

How are those with Thai in them looking?

 

[fowlsessed]

speaking of asil, i really like the trio that i have. they are intelligent and act almost like pets.

Yea, agreed. I think it's great to grade the Cubas with OG's to get that improved deportment.

 

[bruceha2000]

the number of eggs they lay is good although the egg size is small to medium.

I'm still waiting for that

One of mine 2 has averaged just under 2.5 per week, the other just over 2 per week. She hasn't laid since 3/16 (and has never been broody) the first only 3 since then. Only once have I gotten anything as "huge" as "just barely USDA Small".

It would be nice if they tossed the little things out a bit more often though. I'm hoping that while they are good winter layers in Texas where it is warmer than here, they will be better in the spring to fall Vermont weather that isn't nearly as hot as it is down south. The only one that has a lower lay rate is a Faverolles that was broody and didn't lay an egg for 3 weeks and was pretty spotty for a good chunk of Jan and Feb before that.

I believe I recall that the Cubalaya is a slower maturing breed than others and they are clearly smaller birds so I'm not expecting large eggs. My daughter keeps saying "but they are so cute!!!" every time I say the lazy butts haven't laid an egg

They are "cute" and I like the "look" but I don't put their eggs in the cartons I sell to friends. I only have 3 birds that regularly lay Large (1 frequently XL or bigger) and one that wanders the line between Medium and Large. I have a hard enough time getting a dozen that average Medium with the Partridge Chanteclers and Faverolles laying Small and the Anconas being the only solidly Medium layers. Tossing in a 40 gram Cubalaya egg wouldn't make it easier.

I'm enjoying the "phenotype" conversation. Thanks for all the insight.

Bruce

 

[Jungleexplorer]

Are you birds young? I have three sets of hens of different ages, 1yr old, 1.5yr old and 2yr old. The 1yr old hens are laying just like yours, about 2 to 3 eggs a week. The 1.5 and 2yr old hens are laying 4 to 5 eggs a week. Also, I have not been able to hatch a single egg from the 1yr old hens. Only 1 out of 5 eggs is even fertile and they all quit early when incubating. The other hens have a 100 percent fertility rate and I have not had a single early quiter from them.

I don't know if it is the age or the breeding of the 1yr olds. I got my 1yr olds (two pullets and a cockerel) directly from Zook. My other hens are from Cubakid's line and are matched up with Zook roosters. All my cubas are being treated exactly the same, so I don't know if it is the age or something else.

 

[bruceha2000]

Yes, they are just over 9 months old. Ideal Hatchery so nothing special.

Found the reference to slow maturing:
"This breed is slow to mature taking up to three years to reach adulthood"
http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/cubalaya.html

I like this part:
"The trait most favored in this breed is their tameness. Many of the chicks are friendly from the day they're hatched and will eat out of the owner's hand even with no previous handling"

I don't know about "from the day they are hatched" but those girls PREFER to be hand fed. I'll throw BOSS on the ground and everyone scrambles. If I'm near the 4' high gate or the 3' high table, I soon have 2 Cubas at a very convenient height looking for a hand with seeds. If I DO feed them, it will soon be a "flap fest" as lots of other girls try to get in on the action.

I think my daughter trained them. Either that or being the smallest in the flock, it is easier to beg than compete on the ground

Bruce

 

[cubalaya]

How are those with Thai in them looking?

the necks are a little long. other than that, they look like cubalayas. color will be good and size, i think.


on the egg laying, my cubalaya hens(pullets) start laying at 7 to 8 months. after the first 3 or 4 small pullet eggs, they get bigger and can be hatched(fertile) but it is better to hatch from more mature hens. the only breeds that we have had here that outlay them are australorps or sexlinks but those breeds slow way down after 3 years. the cubalaya hens are still laying strong at 5 or 6 years old.

 

[cubakid]

Cubalayas are without doubt the most regal birds. Their beauty is unmatched. I can't wait to have that long tailed, brightly colored, 6 pound cock bird competing against the lovely shamos and asils here in California. We have some birds this year that should produce some of the best BBReds I've had.

 

[cubalaya]

sounds like you have some stiff competition as those california shamos are very nice.

 

[tigercreek]

I think 'lovely Shamos ' was said tongue in cheek?? Can't imagine why anyone would pick a Shamo over a nice Cubalaya, though I am sure that Shamos have their place.....

....stan