Cubalayas, classified as game birds, come from fighting stock. Although more aggressive than the common breed of chicken, they display less aggression than most game birds. Cubalayas do surprisingly well as egg layers and meat producers. They lay four or five medium-sized, tan eggs a week. As a table bird they have a fine grained white meat. Cubalayas can take up to three years to fully mature; however, most can reproduce at six months of age. Cubalayas tolerate both heat and humidity well. Cuba uses Cubalayas for meat and eggs while the US recognizes them primarily as ornamentals.
Cubalayas need to forage. Build a spacious run for your flock and move it often to avoid parasite infestation. Keep roosters apart or the game bird part of their character will display itself with dire consequences. Bred from warm climate fowl, Cubalayas tolerate heat and humidity well. Conversely, they have little tolerance for cold drafty conditions.. If you live in the northern latitudes, insulate and caulk the coop. Americans appreciate the incredible beauty of the Cubalaya and may miss the practical egg laying qualities of the breed. Feed them good layer food and supplement the morning light in the winter months, and they will provide you an egg a day.
Undoubtedly keepers bred Cubalayas to fight. In the mid 19th century breeders in Cuba crossed Asiatic game fowl from the Philippines with European game fowl with the purpose of producing a fighting breed without spurs. They succeeded. In the process they produced a breed with good laying capabilities, fine quality meat, and ornamental splendor. Cubalayas have both a standard and bantam size. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy lists Cubalayas as endangered. Indeed, few hatcheries offer quality Cubalaya brood in America. They have made a resurgence as a bantam in US exhibition, however.