Eliza1313
Chirping
- Mar 26, 2015
- 314
- 13
- 83
Thanks in advance for any help and advice you can give.
We are considering raising emus and rheas. We want to have everything set up and ready ahead of getting hatching eggs or chicks. At this point we are leaning more towards hatching eggs, even with the risks involved. Main purpose would be for meat for ourselves, and oil, then to possibly sell blown eggs.
We have a little over 7 acres, however part of the back and side property line is a wet weather creek and about half of the property is in the flood plain. How do ratites do in wet weather? Would we be able to keep them on pasture in that area when it is wet (not flooded), only when it is dry, or would it be better not to allow them access to it at all?
Can emus and rheas be kept together or would it be better to keep them separated?
Fencing requirements: Height? Type? Spacing? Best options to keep predators out (primarily of the canine variety)?
Best housing options for hot and humid climate? We are located in East Central Texas.
Feed: There is a locate source for Ratite feed, but I believe it is a maintenance formula and not breed specific. I am willing to make my own feed if necessary, just need to be directed towards some good resources. My other poultry is on a semi-locally produced soy-free and non-gmo feed, but the producer does not make a ratite feed.
Best options for water-supply?
Incubation: requirements for an incubator/hatcher (other than being large enough to house the eggs)? We are planning to build an incubator in the near future. We would probably only be incubating a few eggs at a time, with the largest amount being the first batch to get started.
We are considering raising emus and rheas. We want to have everything set up and ready ahead of getting hatching eggs or chicks. At this point we are leaning more towards hatching eggs, even with the risks involved. Main purpose would be for meat for ourselves, and oil, then to possibly sell blown eggs.
We have a little over 7 acres, however part of the back and side property line is a wet weather creek and about half of the property is in the flood plain. How do ratites do in wet weather? Would we be able to keep them on pasture in that area when it is wet (not flooded), only when it is dry, or would it be better not to allow them access to it at all?
Can emus and rheas be kept together or would it be better to keep them separated?
Fencing requirements: Height? Type? Spacing? Best options to keep predators out (primarily of the canine variety)?
Best housing options for hot and humid climate? We are located in East Central Texas.
Feed: There is a locate source for Ratite feed, but I believe it is a maintenance formula and not breed specific. I am willing to make my own feed if necessary, just need to be directed towards some good resources. My other poultry is on a semi-locally produced soy-free and non-gmo feed, but the producer does not make a ratite feed.
Best options for water-supply?
Incubation: requirements for an incubator/hatcher (other than being large enough to house the eggs)? We are planning to build an incubator in the near future. We would probably only be incubating a few eggs at a time, with the largest amount being the first batch to get started.
