Ratites

what are ratites

flightless birds, have a flat breastbone resembling a raft

where are ostriches from

africa

how tall are ostriches

7 to 9 feet

how much do ostriches weigh

200 to 350 lbs

how fast can ostriches go

30 to 50 mph

how fast can a 1 month old ostrich chick run

35 mph

what are characteristics of ostriches

long necks, small heads, large eyes

what color are male ostrich feathers

black and white feathers

what color are female ostrich feathers

grey feathers

when are ostriches mature

2 to 4 years

how do ostriches lay eggs

female lays 1 to 5 eggs in a communal nest (up to 60 total eggs)

how long is the egg incubation period for ostriches

40 to 46 days, males and females incubate eggs and raise the young

when are chicks at almost adult height

by 6 months

what is the lifespan of an ostrich

30 to 40 years in the wild, 70 years in a zoo

what kind of eaters are ostriches

omnivores

where are emu’s from

Australia

what height are emus

5 to 6 feet

how many toes does an ostrich have

2 toes

what is the weight of emus

125 to 150 lbs

how fast can emus go

30 mph

what are characteristics of emus

head and neck are grayish blue, feathers are black on head and mottle brown on back, plumage is course and hair-like

how many toes does an emu have

3 toes

what is the age of maturity of emus

1.5 to 3 years

how many eggs do emus have

5-15 eggs per clutch: up to 3 clutches per season

what is the incubation period for emu eggs

50 days

what is the lifespan of emus

10-20 years in the wild and 35 years in zoos

where are rheas from

south america

how tall are rheas

5 and a half feet

how much do rheas weigh

44-55 lbs

what are the characteristics of rheas

pale gray to brown, head and neck completely feathered, no tail feathers, long body feathers droop over posterior of the bird

how many eggs do rheas lay

females lay 1 egg every other day or every 3 to 4 days for 7-10 eggs- in a ground communal nest of the male’s design

for rheas who incubates and cares for the young

males incubate the eggs for 42 days and care for the newly hatched young

how tall are cassowaries

4 to 6 feet

how fast are cassowaries

30 mph

where do cassowaries live

Australia and Malay archipelago

what is the casque of a cassowary

large bony crest on top of head

what is the cassowaries defense mechanism

sharp toenails on their inner toes

what are characteristics of cassowaries

no plumage on head or neck, their skin is bright blue, red, and yellow, brownish-black hair-like feathers on the body

when do cassowaries become mature

2 and a half to 3 years

how are cassowary eggs laid

green eggs laid: 3 to 5 clutch

what is the incubation period for cassowary eggs

49 to 56 days

For cassowaries which takes care of the eggs

males sit on eggs and rear chicks for 9 months

what is the lifespan of cassowaries

12-20 years in the wild and 40 years in a zoo

how many species of kiwi birds are there

5 species

what is the height of kiwi birds

1 to 2 feet

how much do kiwi birds weigh

2 to 11 lbs

what color are kiwi birds feathers

brown or gray, hair-like, special feathers around their faces similar to whiskers

what are characteristics of kiwi birds

solid bones, very strong muscular legs=1/3 of their BW, small heads, no tail, slender bill with nostrils at the end

what is the diet of kiwi birds

omnivores (insects, larva, crayfish, roots, berries, and fruit)

when are kiwi birds active

nocturnal

when do kiwi birds become mature

females 2-3 years, males 14-18 months

how many eggs do kiwi birds have

1 per clutch: 1 clutch per year, eggs can weigh up to 25% of mom’s body mass

what is the incubation period for kiwi bird eggs

75 to 85 day (male sits on egg)

what is the lifespan of kiwi birds

30 years in the wild and 50 years in a zoo

ratite meat

low-fat, low-cholesterol, high-iron, red meat, USDA FSIS inspection is required

what is the dressing percentage for ostriches

54-57%

what are uses for ratites in production

leather, oil, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, feathers, shells for art, food and ostrich eggs

what kind of facilities are needed for ratites

very dangerous to handle so fences should be 5 feet high and flush with the ground, high walls and crowd pens make handling easier, 1/4 to 3 acres per breeding pair

what is the breeding like for ostriches

monogamous or polygamous, dramatic mating behavior,

when do ostriches become mature

males at 2.5 years and female at 2 years

when is the breeding season for ostriches

march to september

ostrich egg laying

breed and begin laying eggs 5-10 days later, continue laying every other day up to 15 to 20 eggs, if eggs are removed the female will continue laying up to 40 to 50. eggs weigh 3 to 5 lbs

when do emus become mature

1.5 to 3 years

what is the breeding situation for emus

mostly monogamous: female is dominant/larger

how do emus lay eggs

breed and lay an egg every 3 to 4 days, up to 30 eggs in a clutch, eggs weigh 1.5 lbs, male incubates nest

how should ratite eggs be stored

initially store at 55-65: 75% humidity: air cell up or egg on the side and turn 3x per day

what are the ideal conditions for ratite eggs

97.5-99 degrees, 35-40% humidity (ostrich), 24-35% (emu), weigh weekly, rotate, ostrich egg= 39-59 days, emu egg= 46 to 56 days

when should the eggs be move to the hatcher

1-2 days before hatching

what happens when a chick pips

chick pips through shell membrane into the air cells and chick will break through the shell and hatch within 12-18 hours

what is the hatch rate for ratite eggs

70% ostrich eggs: 50-80% emu eggs

what should the heat be in the brooder

initial temp 90 degrees at floor level for 10-14 days

what is the litter for the brooder

bedded with wood shavings, straw, rice hulls, or clean sand (nothing slippery or tasty)

what should be done with the brooder temperature

decrease the brooder temp by 5 degrees every 2 weeks until supplemental heat is no longer needed

when can you determine the sex of the ratites

1 to 2 months of age

what identification should be done with chicks

weigh, leg band, microchip, DNA identification, tattoo

ratite health maintenance

establish a relationship with a ratite-knowledgeable vet and other farmers, follow a good disease prevention program, high mortality rate less than 6 months of age need special care