Alternative food for rhea chicks?

[briefvisit]

Hey, Casuarius!

Wild emu chicks cover extraordinary distances from Day One -- miles and miles a day, sometimes 'breasting' wet grass as they go. So, your observation makes sense to me.

SE

 

[briefvisit]

oops

 

[yinepu]

I give Rhea and Cassowary chicks catfish or koi food for extra vitamin D. I have also fed dog food to them as a main diet for years with no problems at all. Their biggest problem with leg issues is a lack of vitamin D and exercise. Usually if a male raises them, they have no leg problems at all, but if we do it, they drop like flies. This is because the dads walk them constantly, and build their leg muscles and help keep the weight off of them. If they get too fat, their legs cant support their bodies, so if they are in confined space, I would feed them as little as possible. Very long runs (a couple hundred feet) is best for them with netting over top to keep hawks out.

X2

I also have to wonder about the incubation temperature and the role it plays in the formation of joints.. chicks incubated at too high of a temperature tend to have more leg issues and joint issues than chicks incubated at lower temps which mimic the natural incubation that takes place in the nest...

 

[ronemu]

Hi, I have raised a lot of rheas emus, and ostriches and still raise ostriches. Over 27 years experience working with ratites. What feed sources do you have available.

 

[Goosebirds]

Hello:
I have enjoyed reading about the rheas and many other birds. I raise hundreds of birds for their
molted feathers. What do you do with your rhea feathers?

Kate Davidson

edited by staff