Cubalaya Thread For Sharing Pics and Discussing Our Birds

[gallorojo]

Quote:

Exactly-only wish I could explain it so well, and briefly, without myself coming across as mean!!!

 

[adubsroit]

I understand all that, but the same applies for Coturnix quail and Seramas, even why dairy goats are bred for production and not their color. The improvement to understand the genetic loads and standardize are slow, but not impossible. In a few years it could happen is all I am saying. Seriously though, I have loved learning about this breed. I'm loving the world that is the game fowl, been reading all over the web and Ultimatefowl forums. I love what the Chantecler is, but Cubalayas have such a rich history. Even though I am new to the breed, I'm happy to be a part of it.

Okay, so because at some point this "why and why not" is going to turn into the people just beating their heads against a wall: who hear raises Golden Duckwings?? Love to see some pics. I am still just getting to know this breed, but this color is probably my favorite. It reminds me of the Salmon Faverolle color, and while those birds are awesome in their own right: I hate feathered-feet. What's the story on them, why haven't they been accepted into the standard?? Are there just not a lot of them?? Another question: what do y'all cull against?? Is there any sort of major no-no that I should avoid keeping, I assume you want to cull birds with tails carried to high?? Other things to look for?? I know there are some things that aren't good for show birds, but are good for breeding birds (i.e. smut in females).

Also, I have some general questions: how do Cubalayas do in cold weather?? While I am looking forward to the birds in general, I want to be prepared for them. I have heard long-tails can get frost bite tails, and belive you me: Eastern Oregon get's cold. I live in the Grande Ronde Valley (between the Eagle Caps and Blue Mountains) and while it isn't Arctic cold the wind chill in the winter is ridiculous. My boyfriend and I live out on a farm right off the foot hills of the Eagle Caps, while I don't usually miss home (deep South Texas, by South Padre) I miss it when windchill puts us below 0 and the snow comes down sideways. I wouldn't want to subject a bird to this, but on the plus side: our summers are nice with their low humidity. Even sectioned off parts of the yard as designated chicken pasture with clover and nitro-alfalfa (sweet deals at Territorial Seed on cover-crops).

 

[Winisk]

Gosh this road has been fun but frustrating. I received this pair last year from a tailgate sale advertized as a Phoenix. After a year of thinking this was the case I posted this pic of my handsome rooster on the Phoenix thread and they suggested it was more likely a game fowl. I posted on that thread this morning where it was suggested it may be a Yokohama or Black breasted Phoenix, but unlikely a Chinese game. After some more research I stumbled on the Cubalaya chickens and I feel like I'm getting closer to home. The rooster is a year old. It is not overly aggressive as it shares it's flock with another RIR rooster, although it certainly rules the roost. No fighting. The hen is a great layer, small white eggs every second day. Active foragers when they free range. It raised her first chick through the cold months of winter like a pro. The chick was very tame. So is this where we belong?

 

[gallorojo]

There may possibly be some Cubalaya in there somewhere, maybe? However, I would add that Cubas have white legs, which is often dominant in crosses( although not always). All my Cubalaya crosses have had very much reduced comb and wattles, a lot smaller than your male pictured. The hen you have pictured, is at least half duckwing/wildtype/bbred-cubalayas are wheaten. The chick is a duckwing/wildtype chick, cubalaya chicks will be pure yellow. I would guess maybe 1/4 cubalaya, if any. I think it is phoenix cross with something, possibly cubalaya somewhere along the line, but doubtfully they are even 1/2 cubalaya.

Just my opinion, hopefully somebody else will chime in here!!

 

[saladin]

I would guess that it either has Chinese Game in it or Phoenix or even Yok. It might possibly have Cubalaya in it. Unless the breeder will tell you there is no real way to know. Very nice looking and healthy bird regardless.

 

[saladin]

Quote:
Duckwings have always been around. They were not admitted to the Standard in the beginning (1939). Since that time there has never been a concerted effort to do so. You would need a minimum of 5 breeders breeding them for 4 years and then 200 being shown over a 2 year period with a qualifying meet at the end..... or something close to that.

I keep:
BBR (wheaten)
Black
White
Red Pyle (wheaten base)
Duckwings (wheaten base)
Blue
Blue Reds
Blue Duckwings
Brown Red
Gingers

 

[saladin]

You can see a duckwing in gallorojo avatar.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

These are old photos, this stag is closer to maturity now with a much fuller tail.

A bit of an action shot...

A pullet (she has.. I guess more red? She's not colored like the regular silver/gold duckwing females)

Same pullet, different stag than the one above:

Anyways, I need to get some updated pictures of them. Those are like 2 - 3 yrs old...

 

[gallorojo]

 

[cubalaya]

he looks nice!