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Ratites F.A.Q.s |
What is a ratite?
Ratite is a family of flightless, running birds that are characterized by having a flat rather than a keeled sternum (breastbone). Ratites belong to the phylum Chordata and include the Cassowary, Emu, Kiwi, Ostrich, Rhea and the extinct Moa. The Cassowary is native to Australia and New Guinea, the Emu to Australia, the Kiwi to New Zealand, the Ostrich to northern, eastern and southern Africa, the Rhea to South America, and the extinct Moa to Australia and New Zealand. Only the Emu, Ostrich and Rhea are raised commercially.
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What are the key products of ratites?
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When purchasing ratite breeding stock what should I look for?
Before purchasing stock, it is important to consider your individual goals as a producer. Once your goals have been identified, stock selection will be easier because you should then be able to identify several traits that are important to your particular production system (high egg production, high meat yield, or calm animals). Avoid purchasing birds that exhibit a deformity, for example: a splayed leg or a twisted neck. In addition to confirmation, analyze the animal's pedigree, if available, to determine if there are any undesirable characteristics in either the maternal or paternal lines. If possible, try to determine the reproductive state of the animal. There may be many reasons why an animal is not capable of reproducing. Discuss the animal's reproductive health with the seller, or in cases where further analysis is desired, consult a veterinarian. All stock purchased should have good strong legs, be tested for avian tuberculosis. If a flock is purchased one might want to have the birds tested for inbreeding, using modern DNA testing techniques.
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What do ratites eat?
It is important that ratite feeds meet the animals' requirements for all stages of growth and development by ensuring that fiber, carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin and mineral contents are properly balanced. Many ratite producers purchase feed from companies that specialize in the production of animal feeds, thus ensuring a properly balanced feed to suit the individual requirements of the bird. Feed ingredients may include: corn, alfalfa meal, wheat, soy, barley, oats, meat and bone meal, fat, and grit which aids in the digestion of feeds. Commercially produced feed may come in ground or pelleted form. Ratites may also be fed forage such as alfalfa hay, or silage. In addition to feed, ratites require a good supply of quality water. It is important to recognize that ratites require a specialized diet. Adequate calcium in the diet is critically important to growing Ratites to ensure strong, healthy legs.
Please see the Production section of InfoBasket for more detailed feed information.
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What do ratites weigh?
Emu: Mature emus weigh 38-50kg. Females are often heavier than males
Ostrich: Mature ostriches weigh approximately 135-160kg. Males are larger than the females
Rhea (Common): Mature rheas weigh 18-36kg. The male is generally taller than the female
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Are ratites dangerous?
Ostriches have the potential to be dangerous, particularly if they are being protective or if they feel threatened in any way. They have a powerful kick and are able to run up to speeds of 60 km per hour. When handling ostriches, always use caution. Ratites in general are easily frightened and react quickly and manual constraints may not be appropriate. Use of manual constraints can result in severe injury to the handler or animal. Talk to other producers about techniques they use to maneuver and work with their birds. In addition, ensure that housing and fencing are well built so that the safety of the animal, caretaker, and public is protected.
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How many eggs do ratites lay?
Emu: A breeding female will produce 20-30 eggs per season
Ostrich: A breeding female will produce 20-70 eggs per season
Rhea: A breeding female will produce 20-70 eggs per season
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At what age do ratites reach sexual maturity?
Emu: Emus generally reach sexual maturity between 14 and 20 months
Ostrich: Female ostriches generally reach sexual maturity between 2 and 3 years of age while male ostriches reach sexual maturity between 3 and 4 years of age.
Rhea: Female rheas reach sexual maturity between 12 and 18 months of age. Males take longer to reach sexual maturity than females.
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How many days do I incubate ratite eggs? What temperature and humidity should I use?
Incubator manufacturers generally provide incubation information for each bird species, however the following information is provided as a general guideline.
Differences in incubation times occur with different hens. The "average" incubation time for ratite eggs at normal incubator temperatures are 39 days for the rhea, 42 days for the ostrich and 56 days for the emu.
In multi-stage incubators (eggs set at different times and embryos are at different ages) a single, "average" temperature would be used continuously. Common incubator temperatures for ratites range from 35.9 degrees C to 36.5 degrees C (96.7 degrees F to 97.7 degrees F) in multistage machines. Incubators without fans run 1.1 degrees C (2 degrees F) higher than those with fans. The hatcher temperature should be 0.6 degrees C (1 degree F) lower than that of the incubator.
Ratite eggs should be turned 24 times per day. Eggs should be set large end up (air cell up). Hatch best when turned 90 degrees to rest at a 45 degree angle.
Water loss during incubation is critically important to good chick production. Water loss will range between 12 and 17% depending on porosity of the egg. 15% is a reasonable level of water loss to produce quality chicks. Relative humidity requirements during incubation are 15 to 20% for ostrich, 25 to 40% for emu and 35 to 65% for rhea.
Humidity during the hatching process should be 40% for the ostrich, 60% for the emu and 70% for the rhea. Source of above incubation/hatching information: University of Florida, Cooperative extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, H.R. Wilson. Factsheet PS-11, Publication date 1996. See infoBasket on ratites for complete article.
Transfer the hatcher varies from 1 to 3 days before hatch.
Producers should consult with their incubator supplier as to the specific incubation and hatching conditions for the type of equipment and the species being incubated.
Please refer to the Production section of InfoBasket for more specific incubation information for each type of ratite.
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What does an eviscerated carcass weigh?
Emu: Carcass weight is approximately 50% of live weight
Ostrich: Carcass weight is approximately 54% of live weight
Rhea: Carcass weight is approximately 50% of live weight
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Whom do I contact when my ratites have health problems?
The first step should be to contact a private veterinarian. If you require a listing of avian veterinarians in your area, contact the:
British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association
Suite 107, 828 Harbourside Drive
Vancouver BC V7P 3R9
Telephone: 604 929-7090
Toll Free: 1 800 463-5399
Website: http://www.bcvma.org/For diagnostic laboratory services, contact:
Animal Health Centre
1767 Angus Campbell Road
Abbotsford BC V3G 2M3
Telephone: 604 556-3003
Website: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/ahc/
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Is information on ratites available through the University of British Columbia?
Yes, the University of British Columbia has an Avian Research Program which has carried out market and production research on ratites. It also has students interested and willing to consider potential research projects. Please contact:
Dr. K. Cheng, Professor
University of British Columbia
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Email: kmtc@unixg.ubc.ca
Website: http://www.agsci.ubc.ca/
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What other information resources on game birds are available?
InfoBasket provides you with an electronic source of most of the major contacts you will need to establish your ratite business and be successful. The selected articles available through InfoBasket list a number of additional publications, which will prove valuable as you develop your plans and your business.
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