Description
Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantam Chicken
Breed History and Origin
If you are looking for a miniature size of the Wheaten Cubalaya standard chicken breed, you’re in luck. At Cackle Hatchery®, we offer the Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantam, a rare and unique variety originating from Cuba. This bantam version carries the same distinctive characteristics as the standard breed and was recognized by the American Standard of Perfection in 1960 within the All Other Combs Clean Legged Bantam class. Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing its bloodline of Cubalaya Bantam chickens since 1982, preserving this uncommon exhibition breed.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantam chickens are known for their low carried tails and pea comb, which set them apart from many other bantam breeds. This variety features striking black and red feathering, giving it a bold and attractive appearance. Mature hens typically weigh about 22 ounces, while roosters average around 26 ounces. Pullets generally weigh about 20 ounces, and cockerels about 22 ounces. Their sleek body and unique posture make them especially appealing for show and ornamental use.
Egg Production and Performance
Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantam hens lay small cream or lightly tinted bantam-sized eggs, and egg production is considered fair. While not bred for high production, they contribute consistently to backyard flocks.
Temperament and Flock Suitability
This breed is known for being active and alert, performing best in environments where they have space to move and forage. They are well suited for backyard flocks with adequate room and typically prefer roost heights of four feet or higher. Fertility percentages generally range between 40–55%, with a recommended mating ratio of eight females to one male. Hens are considered setters and may go broody.
Availability and Breed Use
The Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantam is considered a rare breed and is offered by Cackle Hatchery® as baby chicks only. Their distinctive look and limited availability make them a desirable option for exhibition poultry keepers and collectors.
To learn more about longtail and ornamental chicken breeds, see our blogs:
Breed Spotlight: Lovely Longtail Chickens https://www.cacklehatchery.com/breed-spotlight-lovely-longtail-chickens/
Care and Feeding of Longtail Roosters https://www.cacklehatchery.com/blog/care-and-feeding-of-longtail-roosters/
Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantam Chicken FAQs
Where do Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantams originate from? They originate from Cuba and are a bantam version of the Cubalaya breed.
What color eggs do Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantams lay? They lay small cream or lightly tinted bantam-sized eggs.
Are Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantams good egg layers? Egg production is considered fair, as they are primarily ornamental.
Are Black Breasted Red Cubalaya Bantams rare? Yes. They are considered a rare and hard-to-find breed.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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Adrian Uridel –
For those who don’t want to read the full thing: Cackle’s cubalaya bantam breeding stock are in terrible condition genetically and do not resemble cubalayas at all in conformation. Some of the hens have been quite friendly and personable but the problems outweigh anything else.
Back in 2018 I got 6 of these and one chick died about a week old with wry neck. Another chick had persistent runny droppings until near adulthood (though she was otherwise fine), when she developed an issue with her primary flight feathers where they broke off as soon as they grew in. She could never fly. The other 3 hens from this group have been fine, though one has a crooked back (doesn’t bother her). The rooster was human-aggressive, chased the hens, and just pretty dumb.
This year (2025) I got 7 more cubalayas. 3 of them were wheaten, and also had problems (see my review for those). Of the 4 bbr, 2 died within a few days after initially seeming ok. The other 2 (both female) grew up without issues though one is very small and the other has a twisted wing feather (not too bad on its own, but yet another small mutation pointing to inbreeding/poor genetics). The runty hen currently has been acting unwell but with no symptoms to indicate a particular ailment – waiting to see what happens to her. They also look worse as far as the breed standard goes than the birds I got in 2018. I was hoping in 7 years their stock would have improved some but it seems to have gotten worse. I really liked these as far as personality (of the hens) and so that’s quite disappointing.
If you want this breed, don’t go to a hatchery for them. Other breeds I have gotten from Cackle haven’t had near the issues these do, believe me these are worse than your usual.
yakimabelle –
The cocks are incredibly colorful when they mature, and they are alert, active, and curious.
Kim –
Beautiful Heritage Breed
My niece and I order Cubalayas for her to show in 4H. They are a friendly, unique, and alert little bird which she enjoys showing. They are listed as Threatened on the Livestock Conservancy Conservation Priority List and are not well known. She enjoys showing them for the reasons I listed and, also, because they are the only Cubalayas at the show. I wish more people would raise our American Heritage breeds to keep from losing them!
Bub –
Cubalaya
This bird is a very beautiful Cubalaya, feathering is great, hackles are just beautiful to go along with there flowing tails. They run outside with my Jungle Fowl. They are somewhat predictor resistance because they love to hang out in the woods or under brush. Winter hardy because of the rose comb.Love there upright position. This all because of Cackle Hatchery. Thanks. Bub.
Deborah Ohio April 2008 –
Chicks arrived safely!
Just a note to let you know that all is well with my order. I was impressed with the packaging that you had the chicks in. It was very secure and the “nest” kept them well protected from bumps and the cold. This was my first time ordering any type of animal through the mail and I admit I had concerns about this, especially since my order was all bantam chicks. But all peeps were healthy and alert and adjusted to the brooder no problems. Also since this is my first try at chickens I appreciated the care sheet that came with the birds. I would definitely recommend your hatchery to anyone interested in poultry. You handled my small order promptly and exactly as stated on your website.