Cassowaries

[casuarius]

Just thought I would show off some pics of my Cassowaries. Not many people know what they are, or realize that there are actually a few in captivity. They are the second largest of the ratite family, emu's are only taller, but not as heavy built. Female Cassowaries easily get 200 lbs. They are the only colorful ratite, and the prettiest by far. Sadly, there arent many in captivity, and not many people are interested in them due to a lack of knowledge of them.

 

[Boats]

I have read somewhere that a cassowary was not good for eating, is that the case or do you eat your birds?

 

[wegotchickens]

Very pretty!
Love the eggs!!

DH said no emu's. Maybe I could sneak one of these past him...
I have always loved looking at pics of these birds when i could find them. They are truly in touch with their inner dinosaur.

 

[canada-goose]

Beautiful!

 

[CrazyWestTexasFarmGirl]

Are the eggs really that BRIGHT green like htey are showing up on my screen?
I want some! They look like feathered dinosaurs...
Really hun!... its a funny looking breed of turkey... I promise.... Muahahahhaa.....

 

[silkiechicken]

I've always heard they are not easily kept in captivity and can be rather dangerous.

 

[V Comb]

I love cassowaries! Beautiful birds! I know from experience...that they are very aggresive. In that case how do you keep them? I've never heard of pet cassowaries, only experienced them at zoos.

 

[casuarius]

Thanks for the comments, to help answer some of your questions...I can't imagine why anyone would want to eat a Cassowary...though the natives in New Guinea does all the time. However, they arent bred for eating like the other ratites, they are strictly ornamental. They don't reproduce nearly as much as ostrich, emus, and rheas. And they have a low captive fertility rate. Also, there are probably less than 100 in the US. So besides being far too beautiful and rare, they aren't cut out for the mass production it would take for meat. Not to mention they sell for around $5,000 each. As far as being dangerous, they are supposedly the most dangerous bird on earth, and I can see why the have the potential. They are excellent kickers, and the long dagger claw they carry on the first toe of each foot is very lethal. However, they are only as dangerous as you allow them to be. Many people own Piranhas, but they don't jump in the tank with them. A good pen setup is all you need to keep Cassowaries, and in fact, I have one pair that has never attacked me. I walk right in and pick the eggs up...very rare for Cassowaries. Yes, the eggs are bright green just like in the pic. I clean out and sell the infertile shells, all of these are ones I recently sold. Once in a while, a egg will come out darker, almost a olive green color, but most are neon/lime green.

 

[chickenzoo]

Very beautiful birds. If I didn't have to worry about the "possible killing me part", I'd love to have them.... oh, and the very strict budget I have, LOL. I am far to clumsy to have anything with that potential, but sooooo beautiful. Wish they were snugglely.

 

[sianara]

Quote:
How much do you sell the empty egg shells for?