How to Raise Rheas
Consider your reasons for raising rheas before purchasing them., Check whether you'll need a permit in your state, province, region or country., Select your rhea stock., Prepare an appropriate living space for the rheas., Plant trees, bushes and...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Consider your reasons for raising rheas before purchasing them.
You must be dedicated to taking care of the rheas, facilitating their healthy growth and recouping your investment by knowing ahead of time why you're raising rheas.
Some of the most usual reason for raising rheas include:
Meat (red) (only if there is an established market in your area, such as gourmet restaurants or food stores) Feathers and leather Oils and creams Eggs (each female rhea produces around 20 to 60 eggs per year) Selling chicks to other rhea raisers Furthering their protection For their own sake (intrinsic value). -
Step 2: Check whether you'll need a permit in your state
In some places, the fact that rheas can be treated as livestock means that you may not need to get any special license or permit.However, this will vary depending on your location, so always check first. , There are two types of rhea, the white rhea and the common or gray rhea.Unless you need the particular color, both types should be fine for raising.
Choose a reputable breeder and ask as many questions as possible about the health, background and care requirements for the birds you choose.
It is a really good idea to get an experienced rhea breeder to accompany you when purchasing your first rhea chicks or adults.
This person will know to ask the right questions and will know how to steer clear of inbred, deformed or unhealthy birds. , Fence in an area large enough for adult birds to freely roam using chain link fencing.
Always have the housing in place before bringing home the birds.
The more male birds you own, the more space you will need in order to accommodate the colony.
Males become aggressive during the breeding season and need about one acre for every two males, in order to avoid issue and injury. , This is important so that the rheas have natural shelter and can turn this vegetation into nesting areas.
Rheas will also look to these plants as a food source. , Adult rheas will also appreciate shelter from cold, wind, heat, predators and sometimes, each other.
The size of the shelter will be determined by the size and amount of rheas you will be hosting.
A three-sided shed or a lean-to is adequate for adult rheas.
A small garden shed would work for young birds.
Use a dog house or kennel to house hatchling rheas.
Baby rheas' shelters should be equipped with a working heat lamp to ensure that they're kept warm enough.
If you are planning to hatch rheas, you will need an incubator.
Hay or straw can be used for rhea bedding in any of the shelters. , For the most natural approach to raising rheas, set aside established sections of grass, clover and alfalfa in a large enclosed area.
Use this area to promote natural grazing among your rheas.
In the wild, rheas eat seeds, herbaceous plants, small mammals and insects., There are various foods that are good for the rheas:
Generous scatterings of fruits and vegetables can be tossed to the rheas in order to supplement and round out their diet.
Invest in some ratite food to give to the rheas.
This will be balanced with the nutrients the birds need, although it's a good idea to talk to a vet who specializes in care of large birds.
Consider portioning out dog food to make up for any natural proteins the rheas may not be getting from not being able to roam in their natural environment. , To help the birds digest their food, make sure they have access to grit of some sort, such as sand or small pebbles. , A water source should be provided for the rheas, one that can be accessed all day and night, and is frequently refreshed. , For a healthy, breeding colony, keep one male for every two to three females.
Ideally, you will have two males.
One of them will become the dominant male and will feed off the competition of the presence of the other male to breed with the females.
The second male can also step in and take the spot of the dominant male should something happen where the alpha bird can not perform anymore.
Rheas will not start to breed until they mature.
This will be around the ages of two to four.One male usually has up to five female mates. -
Step 3: province
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Step 4: region or country.
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Step 5: Select your rhea stock.
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Step 6: Prepare an appropriate living space for the rheas.
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Step 7: Plant trees
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Step 8: bushes and shrubs inside the fenced-off area.
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Step 9: Provide a shelter for the birds.For their safety
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Step 10: all young birds should be closed in at night.
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Step 11: Feed your rheas a diet as close to their natural food as possible.
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Step 12: Supplement the rheas' diet with suitable foods.
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Step 13: Provide grit for proper digestion.
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Step 14: Supply fresh drinking water at all times.
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Step 15: Select your stock for breeding purposes.
Detailed Guide
You must be dedicated to taking care of the rheas, facilitating their healthy growth and recouping your investment by knowing ahead of time why you're raising rheas.
Some of the most usual reason for raising rheas include:
Meat (red) (only if there is an established market in your area, such as gourmet restaurants or food stores) Feathers and leather Oils and creams Eggs (each female rhea produces around 20 to 60 eggs per year) Selling chicks to other rhea raisers Furthering their protection For their own sake (intrinsic value).
In some places, the fact that rheas can be treated as livestock means that you may not need to get any special license or permit.However, this will vary depending on your location, so always check first. , There are two types of rhea, the white rhea and the common or gray rhea.Unless you need the particular color, both types should be fine for raising.
Choose a reputable breeder and ask as many questions as possible about the health, background and care requirements for the birds you choose.
It is a really good idea to get an experienced rhea breeder to accompany you when purchasing your first rhea chicks or adults.
This person will know to ask the right questions and will know how to steer clear of inbred, deformed or unhealthy birds. , Fence in an area large enough for adult birds to freely roam using chain link fencing.
Always have the housing in place before bringing home the birds.
The more male birds you own, the more space you will need in order to accommodate the colony.
Males become aggressive during the breeding season and need about one acre for every two males, in order to avoid issue and injury. , This is important so that the rheas have natural shelter and can turn this vegetation into nesting areas.
Rheas will also look to these plants as a food source. , Adult rheas will also appreciate shelter from cold, wind, heat, predators and sometimes, each other.
The size of the shelter will be determined by the size and amount of rheas you will be hosting.
A three-sided shed or a lean-to is adequate for adult rheas.
A small garden shed would work for young birds.
Use a dog house or kennel to house hatchling rheas.
Baby rheas' shelters should be equipped with a working heat lamp to ensure that they're kept warm enough.
If you are planning to hatch rheas, you will need an incubator.
Hay or straw can be used for rhea bedding in any of the shelters. , For the most natural approach to raising rheas, set aside established sections of grass, clover and alfalfa in a large enclosed area.
Use this area to promote natural grazing among your rheas.
In the wild, rheas eat seeds, herbaceous plants, small mammals and insects., There are various foods that are good for the rheas:
Generous scatterings of fruits and vegetables can be tossed to the rheas in order to supplement and round out their diet.
Invest in some ratite food to give to the rheas.
This will be balanced with the nutrients the birds need, although it's a good idea to talk to a vet who specializes in care of large birds.
Consider portioning out dog food to make up for any natural proteins the rheas may not be getting from not being able to roam in their natural environment. , To help the birds digest their food, make sure they have access to grit of some sort, such as sand or small pebbles. , A water source should be provided for the rheas, one that can be accessed all day and night, and is frequently refreshed. , For a healthy, breeding colony, keep one male for every two to three females.
Ideally, you will have two males.
One of them will become the dominant male and will feed off the competition of the presence of the other male to breed with the females.
The second male can also step in and take the spot of the dominant male should something happen where the alpha bird can not perform anymore.
Rheas will not start to breed until they mature.
This will be around the ages of two to four.One male usually has up to five female mates.
About the Author
Larry Rogers
Enthusiastic about teaching lifestyle techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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