tinamous

[orientphoenix]

does anybody here have tinamous? how hardy are they? what is the average price range for a pair or eggs? what are the care and requirements? i heard that they were good candidates for domestication, i don't know why it didn't pull through. they have awesome eggs and they look cool too. additional comments are welcomed


if this needs to be moved to the ratite section then please go ahead and move it.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Tinamus_majorPCSL00504B.jpg
http://ibc.lynxeds.com/files/imagecache/photo_940/pictures/PunaTinamou.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/86/CrypturellusSoui.jpg
http://worldbirdinfo.net/BirdPhotos/002 Tinamidae/Puna Tinamou 2.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m267j6IMdA1rqebljo1_500.jpg

 

[JJRS]

I have some friends that have them and I have been looking into care requirements to possibly get some myself. I need an available indoor aviary first. The most important factor I am aware of is good shelter. Tinamou lack a hind toe and cannot perch. They are on the ground full time. They need a covered or indoor pen because they cannot tolerate wet or muddy ground.
There are some Chilean Tinamou on Softbills listed for $50 each, not sure on average egg price.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

I would like to raise them as well (for eating eggs and beautiful shells), and worked with them at an aviary previously. We fed ratite pellets with a dietary enrichment of greens/veggies/bugs/etc. They stress more easily than some birds, so like pheasants, make sure they have lots of ground cover to hide in. That will encourage breeding too. I have seen the Chilean available from several sources (greyish egg). While I would like some, I'm on the hunt for two other species, one of which was at the aviary (green egg).

Chicks need access to the feces of their parents in order to consume it and develop healthy gut flora. If being hand-raised, you have to provide with fresh poop from adult birds. You need to lock in tinamou at a certain temperature. They are not cold hardy and can not be relied on to seek shelter from the cold themselves. Have a closed, heated building ready for lower temperatures.

They are flighty, but not so much that they can't be worked with and trained even if not hand-raised.

I think it would be great if we could get a larger group of dedicate private breeders together for them.

 

[JJRS]

The Crested Tinamou lays the green eggs.

 

[LaraLand]

Just located this thread. So where can we get these birds? The eggs are wonderful!

 

[Alberto Chile]

Hi!
I didnt know there were already some chilean tinamous in the US, or that it was even thought for a while to officialy introduce them...
My family has been raising chilean tinamous for the last 10 years.. in Chile.
I would really like to learn more about what has been done with these birds in the US.
We have at the moment around 5.000 birds, and are mainly selling fresh eggs and meat.
Cheers
Alberto

edited by staff

 

[Tony K T]

Hi!
I didnt know there were already some chilean tinamous in the US, or that it was even thought for a while to officialy introduce them...
My family has been raising chilean tinamous for the last 10 years.. in Chile.
I would really like to learn more about what has been done with these birds in the US.
We have at the moment around 5.000 birds, and are mainly selling fresh eggs and meat.
Cheers
Alberto

edited by staff

Wow 5000 birds?Can you take a pic of a huge group and post them for all to see?
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[Alberto Chile]

Hi Tony, im quite new to backyardchikens and I think I am not allowed to upload pictures or webpages yet.
In my original post i tried to add our webpage but it didnt work.
You can check us on f a c e b o o k, look for "Perdiz chilena".
In Spanish the Chilean Tinamou is called: perdiz chilena, the direct translation of that would be "chilean partridge".

Cheers
Alberto

 

[Alberto Chile]

A try to upload some pictures...

 

[Alberto Chile]