Raising Ratites: Ostriches, Emu, and Rheas
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PNW 494 July 1996 Raising ratites: Ostriches, emu, and rheas J.C. Hermes atites are a group of birds that includes ostriches, emu, rheas, cassowaries, and kiwis. Lacking the large keel on the R breast bone where flight muscles attach, these birds are unable to fly. No ratites exist in the wild in North America; all were imported from Australia, Africa, or South America. The most economically can be detrimental. important species of ratites are However, there has the ostrich and the emu, with been little scientific the rhea a distant third. The research concerning cassowary is rare and is not the incubation and considered to have any economic hatching of ratite importance, while the kiwi is an eggs, so most current oddity and is virtually absent knowledge is from from North America except for a growers. few in zoos. Length of incuba- tion, temperature, Production and humidity Ratite management is similar suggestions vary to both livestock and poultry greatly, so use the management. Adults are hardy suggestions below and are able to withstand most of only as guidelines. Oregon’s weather challenges as Hatching time varies long as they are protected from from 36–45 days for extremes. ostrich eggs, 46–56 days for emu eggs, and 36–44 Incubation days for rhea eggs. Egg incubation often creates Requirements for relative problems because most growers humidity during incubation also have little or no general knowl- vary with species: 10–40 percent edge of poultry and even less (usually around 20 percent) for knowledge of incubation. ostrich eggs, 35–55 percent Like chicken, turkey, and (usually around 40 percent) for other bird eggs, ratite eggs emu eggs, and 40–55 percent require constant incubation (usually around 45 percent) for conditions for maximum hatch- rhea eggs. ability. Even minor variations Virtually no standard exists for minimum acceptable level rhea James C. Hermes, Extension poultry of fertility or hatchability in specialist, Oregon State University. ratite eggs. Therefore, the A Pacific Northwest Extension Publication • Oregon • Idaho • Washington determination of good versus There is no conclusive evi- These practices are easy with a poor fertility and hatchability is dence of the best position or few eggs, but become impractical unknown. In most cases, if you turning times for ratite eggs. We when more eggs are produced. obtain at least 50 percent hatch- have used poultry information Their effectiveness is unproven. ability of all eggs set, you here and modified it to provide a Many growers routinely wash probably are doing well. starting point for these species. eggs with water and sanitizers. Unless you intend to contract Three to 5 days before eggs However, it is best not to wash incubation and hatching with are expected to hatch, transfer eggs. Instead, set only nest clean another producer, you’ll need a them to a separate incubator eggs. If washing eggs is neces- forced-draft incubator able to used only for hatching. Do not sary, use only warm water maintain a constant temperature turn the eggs after transfer. A (110–120°F) and approved of between 96 and 99.5°F. slight lowering of temperature hatching egg sanitizers. Temperature for incubating (1°F) and an increase in relative Fumigation of eggs with ratite eggs is around 96.5°F. humidity (5 to 10 percent) may formaldehyde gas is becoming Incubators vary in cost and be beneficial. rare due to health risks and capacity. Some cost only about Ratite eggs need to lose government requirements, and, $500, while others cost more than between 10 and 18 percent of therefore, probably should not $9,000. The incubators of choice their weight (in moisture loss) to be used. Many growers use seem to be on the extreme ends hatch properly. Most growers disinfectants prior to incubating. of the cost spectrum. Any weigh eggs weekly to monitor It is important to follow instruc- incubator is adequate as long as water loss. tions that come with these prod- optimal temperature, humidity, If the eggs are not losing the ucts to avoid potential disaster. ventilation, turning, etc. can be proper amount of moisture, you maintained. may need to change the relative Brooding During incubation, most humidity. Many producers Early chick management of ostrich and rhea growers set eggs maintain several incubators at ratites is similar to that of vertically in the incubator trays, different humidity levels and chickens, turkeys, or game birds. with the blunt end up. Emu move eggs as needed. Others Like most birds, ratite chicks are growers set eggs on their sides. cover parts of the shell with tape cold-blooded; they cannot sus- Eggs must be turned at least 3 to or fingernail polish to reduce tain their body temperature from 5 times per day and up to 12 to water loss, or sand away part of metabolism alone. They need 24 times per day. the shell to increase water loss. supplemental heat for up to Know your ratites Adult Adult height weight Origin Varieties Ostrich 6–8 feet 250–400 lb Africa Red-neck, Blue-neck, Black-neck (a cross) Emu 5–6 feet 110–140 lb Australia None Rhea 4–5 feet 70–90 lb South America Greater, Darwin’s, Blue, Gray, White 2 Raising ratites: ostriches, emu, and rheas 4 months, depending on condi- rhea will eat almost anything, Research at Oregon State tions. especially litter, which can block University suggests that at least Heat can be supplied from the intestines, usually resulting in emu can be grown in fairly small above with lights or heaters, or death. The problem may be (3' x 10') pens to 8 weeks of age from below with heated mats or reduced if chicks are placed on (three to seven birds in a pen) floors. Many growers use heat litter immediately after hatching and 6' x 32' pens through 7 to lamps. instead of several days later. 8 months (four birds per pen). It is imperative that the birds Work at Oregon State University Pen construction varies as be given an area with a range of suggests that emu chicks perform well. Usually, 5- to 6-foot high temperatures so they can select well on wood shavings as litter or fencing made of chain link, the temperature they require. If on chopped grass straw. Absor- smooth strands, cattle panels, they get cold, they can move to a bent litter reduces labor by nylon link, 2" x 4" welded or warmer area and vice versa. decreasing the time required to woven wire, etc. is used. Ratites As the chicks age, their clean pens. do not fly and usually do not try metabolism catches up and they Solid surfaces, such as concrete to jump over a fence that high. become warm-blooded, i.e., able overlaid with rubber mats, are Fencing must be strong to maintain body temperature. becoming increasingly popular. enough to withstand the birds’ This change takes several weeks. Packed dirt or sand that is free of leaning or bumping into it. It is It is important to help this foreign material such as stones, best to have the fence posts on process along by reducing wire, string, nails, etc. seems to be the outside of the pen, as ratites supplemental heat gradually. adequate. typically walk the fence line, Avoid abrupt changes. However, rubbing their bodies along the Many growers believe inside hard floors wire. pens with outside runs are are difficult to Avoid fencing materials that required for proper growth in clean, and as the can entangle the birds. Large ratite chicks. This system allows birds age, pen opening (6" x 6" or greater) protection from inclement floors become welded wire or field fencing weather as well as outside access heavily soiled generally is inadequate for exercise, which may promote and virtually good leg formation and strength. uncleanable. Some growers brood chicks inside for only a few days before Growing placing them outside with After supplemental heat for cool about nights. 1–2 months, Ratites usually are brooded on ratites usually are solid flooring, although wire- grown in outside pens floored brooding areas also can or pastures. At this age, be used. If using wire floors, take they usually can tolerate care to avoid drafts and to normal weather conditions. ensure that the birds’ legs do not However, extremes always are a become stuck in the wire. Half- concern. inch wire probably is sufficient. There is no consensus about Litter floors (sawdust shav- optimum pen size or shape. Some ings, straw, etc.) can be a prob- growers use long, narrow pens, lem, especially for ostrich chicks. while others are successful with Young ostriches and possibly square pens. Sizes range from 20' x 20' to several acres. ostrich 3 because the birds’ legs can get construct squeeze chutes, or The productive life may be as caught in the wire, which is close confinement areas, in the long as 40 years for ostriches and certain to cause a broken bone. In shelters to contain the birds 20 years for emu. Using low addition, any sharp fencing or when close contact is necessary. estimates, these birds could wire ends must be blunted, bent produce between 500 and 1,600 over, covered, or removed, as Reproduction offspring in a lifetime. ratites surely will find them, Ratites usually begin to The exact stimulus for the sometimes with disastrous reproduce between 2 and 3 years seasonal beginning and cessation results. of age. However, some birds lay of egg production is not well Shelters, as elaborate or as early as 18 months. Early understood. simple as desired, should be layers typically lay few eggs the Ratites usually are paired available for inclement weather first year.