Rhea Question... NEW Pattern?

[chickenzoo]

Best way is DNA sexing. As they get a little older vent sexing.

 

[DeerFarmer]

Thank-You I got my DNA kit in the mail yesterday

 

[RingedTeal]

Updates?

 

[casuarius]

Its a pied, it'll simply stay that way all the way through adulthood. Many people say they have white rheas, when in fact they are a pied if they have any bit of grey markings. True whites are purely white...no grey at all. They are now hard to find because many people have bred them with greys. But if you take two pieds and breed them, you can get pure whites and breed the grey markings out easily. I only keep what I call whites, but each one has a little grey on their necks, but they're chicks come out 100% white.

 

[casuarius]

Vent sexing with any ratite chick is easiest when they first hatch out of the eggs and are still wet. When they get fluffy, its harder to get a good line of sight. You can do it when they are older, but someone should help hold them still. You basically do it the same way you sex a rabbit.

 

[Puffycheeks]

Very cute babies. Hopefully you have a pied! How interesting. I had rheas here in Arizona many many years ago and now you are unable to find them here. We were only able to get the normal greys at that time. Good luck with all your new babies!