Abstract
Ratites are mostly large, flightless birds that exist in the wild in Australia, Africa or South America. But U.S. growers have been raising them as alternative and likely healthier meat sources for decades. Currently, about 100,000 ostriches, nearly one million emus and 15,000 rheas (the largest population of farmed rheas worldwide) gambol on U.S. farms. As a result, since 2002, the United States Department of Agriculture has conducted mandatory inspections. This classic 1996 publication provides an early and much-needed overview of the bird group's care and raising for market, including egg incubation, chick management (brooding), fencing tips, reproduction (breeding pens) and dietary maintenance. Also, it lightly touches on the importance of figuring out zoning, farm plans and price ranges.