Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Feed
Emus can go several days without feed and several days without water. Their ability
to subsist under these conditions is likely a result of years of evolution; they and their
ancestors have existed in Australia surviving harsh environments for millions of years.
They do eat a variety of plants and insects and will seek out such items. The one time I
raised them, they seemed to survive and do just fine on pasture with the sheep; they also
received a balanced turkey breeder ration. If I were to breed these magnificent creatures,
I would want to make sure they had a balanced diet specific for the species. Many feed
companies can get a balanced ratite breeder feed for you if you request it.
If you are interested in breeding emus, then you should know that these Australian
natives were, for many years, considered a threat to the crops and livestock there. The
Australian government went to great expense to attempt to fence them out of cultivated
land. Only recently have emus been raised there for commercial purposes. Emu farming
in this country did not get under way until the late 1980s, peaked in the mid-1990s, and
then crashed.
Rheas
Rheas originated in South America and had their peak in the 1980s, when they were
sought after for their exotic meat and feathers. They never seemed to catch on in this
country as they have in their native land, where their meat is a staple for many. Interest-
ingly, male rheas mate with several females, who in turn lay their eggs in a communal
nest. They then leave the hatching to the male — who sets on from 10 to 60 eggs — and
go on to find other males and start over again. The males do most of the child-rearing
and are very protective. Rheas grow to a height of roughly 5 feet (1.5 m) and require a
secure, 6-foot (1.8 m) fence for a pen, similar to one for an emu.
Ostriches
Ostriches are large and fascinating, but although they are magnificent to look at and can
provide a raiser with large quantities of meat, they should not be considered a pastime
by the backyard poultry raiser. They require strong, tall fences and can be very danger-
ous. Raising ostriches is not something one should choose to do without research and
understanding of all of the risks.
Peafowl
Peacocks, along with their female counterparts, are royalty, and the most beautiful of
the poultry breeds. And really it is only their extraordinary display of iridescent feathers
