Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantam

The Cubalaya chicken breed was brought to the United States from Cuba in 1939, yet remains fairly rare. The Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantam was recognized by the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1960.

This breed’s long tail is unique in angling downward, instead of upward, as in most breeds. Another distinctive trait is that the roosters don’t develop spurs, although some may sprout little round nubs in place of spurs.

Cubalayas prefer a warm climate and are highly tolerant of hot, humid weather. They are active chickens that don’t take well to close confinement. They like to explore, making them terrific foragers. But they can be noisy — something to consider where neighbors are close.

The hens are excellent mothers that can be aggressive toward chickens of other breeds. On the other hand, Cubalayas are tame and friendly toward humans, even as day-old chicks.

The Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantam is a stunning choice for a backyard flock with space to roam. It’s also awe inspiring in the show room. In addition to this beautiful variety, Chickens for Backyards offers the attractive Wheaten Cubalaya Bantam.