Wheaten plumage is the base color pattern of the Cubalaya. It is also found in other Oriental Gamefowl such as the Malay, Asil, and Shamo. (It most probably is also found in GaNoi and Malgache). Several authors have written on wheaten plumage; most notably, Fred Jeffrey (Wheaten Plumage, 1977 American Bantam Association Yearbook) and Brian Reeder (An Introduction To Color Forms of the Domestic Fowl, 2006 AuthorHouse Publication). These two works have proven indispensable to me in the breeding of Cubalayas. Yet, old fashioned trial and error continues to play a vital role in filling in the gaps concerning wheaten plumage. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the major role Craig Russell has played in giving me his sage advice. It is my sincere hope this article will help others in breeding this beautiful yet little seen color pattern.
Black Breasted Cubalaya. Photos by Dr. Charles Everett. |
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The Cubalaya, often referred to as dark black breasted red, is quite different in color from others referred to as simply "wheaten" or "black breasted red." The male bird has a dark reddish chestnut head which should shade to golden at the point where the hackle feathers flow over the shoulders. The back and saddle are the same as the hackle. On the other hand, it is in the female where the most notable difference is seen. She has a reddish chestnut head and hackle with cinnamon on the back and saddle; while the breast and body are a light cinnamon. Also of interest are the tail feathers of the female which are black edged with cinnamon. Amazingly, from these birds have come both white and black sports.
All of my females, and I began with several different strains, have black striping in the hackle where it meets the shoulder and back. This is not mentioned in the APA Standard. According to Craig Russell this is a trait which has been present in all the females he has seen; thus, it may be near to impossible to breed this particular trait out. Also, the quills in the hackle are a lighter color. Though also not mentioned in the Standard this can clearly be seen in the old black and white drawing as done by Schilling. One will also see varying amounts of black smut or ticking in the back, breast, and body of most females; though I do have a few, very few, which do not possess this trait.
From its beginnings in Cuba other colors have historically been present: the silver and golden duckwing, blue/red which the Cubans refered to as indios cenizis (ash colored breasted reds), and blues known as cenizos (ash colored birds). To this list may also be added red pyles which result from crossing the whites back on to the basic wheaten pattern. Currently, my flock contains the basic wheaten, white, black, silver and golden duckwing, and red pyle patterns. I am also working to produce the cenizis and cenizos colors. Due to the fact that all these patterns are all derived form the wheaten plumage the females appear quite different than those corresponding to the black red pattern as seen in breeds such as the Old English Game.
Partial plumage descriptions of varieties of wheaten in the Cubalaya |
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"How attractive are these wheatens? It is not necessary to apologize for Wheaten which, although not common in shows, has been bred for many years by those who appreciate it" (Jeffrey, 1977). It is unfortunate our current Standard does not recognize the red pyle derived from the wheaten pattern. Personally, I find the females much more attractive with their cinnamon or pumpkin color with white restricted to the tail feathers and these are often edged with cinnamon. If these relatively rare color patterns are ever standardized it is my opinion that they should reflect the base wheaten and not the traditional wild type or black breasted red pattern.
Both white and black sports from the wheaten pattern contain red pigment; thus, the white is brassy and the black contains red in the hackle, saddle, and wing bow. In breeding the white I have had some measure of success in reducing the brassiness though I have not yet eliminated it. Currently, I do have females which are pure white but, the males do contain some brassiness. Brian Reeder believes it to be impossible to totally breed out the red from these particular blacks (Reeder, 2006, 36). However, Craig Russell disagrees. According to Craig both he and Dale Rice were able to breed the red out of a black line which originated from the wheaten pattern (in this case Shamos) but, it took lots of time and patience. Craig stated that it took him eleven years and that included hatching as many as 150 each year with extremely hard selection. Fred Jeffery states that to get the brassiness out of a white strain you can run them through a pure black line and breed back to the whites: thus, eliminating the brassiness.
Though rarely seen at the poultry shows, wheaten is an old and established pattern. Those who breed Gamefowl have bred it for many years. With the many probable combinations and interesting color varieties that may be produced it is my hope we will begin to see more experimentation by fanciers with wheaten.
