Cubalaya Thread For Sharing Pics and Discussing Our Birds

[troyer]

Without seeing a full side view of her in a relaxed alert stance, my opinion is that her beak is too thin/long and her tail looks pinched. If you could get a full side, front and back view of her I will be able to more fully tell you what she looks like.

 

[saladin]

Everything JAT stated, plus she has no cushion. I'd let her develop until she is at least 9 months to 1 year before making the final decision.

 

[cubalaya]

is that gold stippled in the back of her neck?

 

[mrandmrschicken]

No, no stipling, jut a bad flash and camera!

This is her doing the "eagle". Her tail looks pinched cause she's on wire and not used to it, but she does have a nice spread when she is relaxed.

 

[cubalaya]

oh ok sorry.

 

[wood&feathers]

Do chicks grow slower in winter? or maybe it just seems like it. These guys are 3 months old now.
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This is the largest chick, but "he"? doesn't have much comb, or any pointy hackle yet. This one is brown stippled all over. Another is pure black, and one has a little brown on its face.

 

[saladin]

Chicks grow faster in the winter. However, these are not winter chicks. These are fall chicks. Fall chicks are often, though not always, smaller than their winter/spring counterparts. There are various reasons for this. I fall hatched for years and my were not smaller than their winter/spring counterparts.

However, with that said, many people complain about fall hatched chicks being both hard to raise (this I agree with) and being smaller.

Typically, I find in my area of the deep South that the summer raised chicks are both the most difficult to raise and are the smallest of birds; which is why I stop hatching by April. They are just too difficult to rear after that.

 

[wood&feathers]

I wouldn't say they've been difficult as such. The first month I provided a heat lamp in their run, near the water. The hen took them to their cold nest every night. It is amazing how they will get out and scratch, even in the snow.

 

[cubalaya]

in virginia we stop in may. i used to raise fall chicks but noticed the slow growth and stopped. january to may is good. from may to november have pigs to feed.

 

[wood&feathers]

Guess I will have some winter chicks. One of my Tuzo/Asil hens went seriously broody Monday. I have 8 marked cubalaya eggs under her.

With night temperatures down to -10 this week I have been feeding her hot cooked pigeon grain, a dollop of Rooster Booster, and chicken mash in the evening. I presume it takes more calories for a broody to maintain temp in winter?