Introduction

The Ratite family includes flightless birds with a flat, keelless breastbone (the keel is where the flight muscles connect). Most of their muscle is in their legs and thighs. In the wild, ratites eat seeds, herbaceous plants, insects, and small rodents. Ostriches, rheas, and emus are the ratites most commonly raised as livestock in the United States. Ratites produce red meat that is similar to beef or venison, and the hide makes fine leather products. The birds adapt to most climates, so long as they are given proper protection and management. Other ratites less commonly raised in the United States are the cassowary from Australia and New Guinea, and the kiwi from New Zealand.

Regulations

Before purchasing any ratites, would-be producers should first contact their state Department of Agriculture, their local Extension service, and a ratite association (see Further Resources) to determine whether there are any requirements for permits or licenses, or other regulations concerning ratites, in their state or locality. In many states, the ostrich, the emu, and sometimes the rhea are classified as livestock rather than as exotic animals, so that no permits or licenses may be required. For assistance in finding state Department of Agriculture phone numbers and addresses, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has a state-by-state directory at its website:
http://www.nasda-hq.org/nasda/nasda/ member_information/gen_main.htm.

The USDA/Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that as of April 26, 2001, all ratites slaughtered and processed for human food are subject to the inspection and sanitary requirements mandated by the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). This means that inspection is no longer voluntary, with the cost of inspection being paid by the producer/processor, but is mandatory, with the cost of inspection being paid by the USDA. A state inspection may be sufficient for marketing meat products within certain states that have USDA-recognized state poultry inspection programs. However, ratite meat must be processed under Federal mandatory inspection if it is to be sold through interstate or international markets (1).

Ostriches

The ostrich, the world’s largest bird and one of the oldest (having existed as a species for over 40 million years), is adapted to living in open, arid country. Four distinct geographic subspecies are recognized, ranging from the Arabian and Saharan deserts southward throughout Africa. The two subspecies imported to the United States are the Red Neck of northern Africa and the smaller Blue Neck of southern Africa. The first ostrich farm was founded in 1838 in South Africa, and that country is still the dominant producer of ostriches. South Africa protects its ostrich industry by prohibiting the export of fertile ostriches and eggs.

The ostrich is the only bird that has two toes; the other ratites have three or four. Ostriches can live up to 75 years, with 50 years being the average. Adult males can reach eight feet in height and weigh as much as 400 pounds. The male is black, with white wing tips and tail plumes. The female is somewhat smaller than the male and duller in color, with light-brown and gray plumage. Young birds are mottled brown, and molt several times before attaining adult plumage. The ostrich will start breeding at about two to three years of age and may continue for up to 20 years. Ostriches will set up breeding “attachments,” usually pairs or one male and two females. Ostriches will start laying eggs around the first of April and continue laying as late as the end of August. Eggs are laid about every other day, with an average of about 40 eggs laid per year. Incubation takes about 42 days.

Rheas

The rhea, native to South America, is smaller than the ostrich but similar in appearance, with feathered necks and heads but with three toes. Rheas reach four to five feet in height and weigh 50 to 80 pounds. The rhea family consists of two separate species: the white rhea and the common or gray rhea (gray or light brown with white bottom). Rheas will start breeding at about two to four years of age, with males having up to five mates. Egg-laying usually starts around the first of May and continues through the beginning of August. The number of eggs per year varies from 20 to 60. The incubation period is 32 to 42 days. Production practices for rheas are generally the same as for ostriches. However, differences do exist, so it is best to get as much specific information on rheas as possible before starting production.

Emus

The emu, native to Australia, can reach five to six feet in height and weigh up to 140 pounds. Its life span is between 30 and 40 years, and it starts its reproduction cycle at about two to three years of age. Production practices for emus differ only slightly from those for ostriches. Emus breed and lay eggs mainly during the winter months, while ostriches and rheas breed and lay eggs in late spring, summer, and early fall. Sometimes starting as early as October and ending as late as June, the females lay an egg about once every three days, and will lay, on average, 25 eggs per year. The emu has darkgreen eggs that cannot be candled (examined in front of light to check fertility and chick growth) during incubation. Incubation is approximately 50 days.

Production Practices

There are many things to consider before beginning ratite production. Choice of breeding stock, pen and building construction, nutritional requirements for various age groups, health practices, handling and hauling of birds, incubation of eggs, and brooding and care of newly hatched and juvenile chicks are some of the issues that need attention. A Producer “Info-Pak” Manual, designed to provide introductory information to new producers, is available free of charge from the Ostrich Association of Alberta (Canada) at http://www.ostrich.ca/pages/infopk.htm. Another source of free introductory information is the Oklahoma State Ostrich Book located at
http://www.cvm.okstate.edu/ instruction/kocan/ostrich/ostbk2.htm.

In addition, Alberta’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development has two new publications on the commercial ostrich and emu industry. These have excellent information on marketing, production, and economics, including budgets. It should be remembered that dollar amounts are stated in Canadian dollars, currently valued at about 66 cents to the U.S. dollar. Commercial Ostrich Industry can be found at http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/agdex/400/484_830_1.html. Commercial Emu Industry can be found at http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/agdex/400/484_830_2.html. Additional information on the various aspects of ratite production is available from ratite associations, books, websites, videos, and magazines (see Further Resources).

Marketing Options

The market for ostriches, emus, and rheas is limited and variable. The birds are no longer being sold only for breeding stock or, like cassowaries, as exotic pets. A commercial market for meat, hides, feathers, and emu oil is developing. The number of slaughtering facilities and marketing cooperatives in the U.S. is increasing. Some national and state associations, as well as other groups (see Further Resources), list market reports on their websites.

Meat from ostriches and emus is gaining recognition in the restaurant trade as a very lean red meat similar to beef or venison. However, ratite meat has a limited market depth, and must compete with beef, chicken, and pork for consumer acceptance. Ostrich hide has a well-established market, but emu hide tanning is not as consistent, so the market is smaller. Emu oil is gaining attention in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, but ostrich oil has no market as of yet. Each emu, when slaughtered, can yield five or more liters of fat. When properly rendered, emu oil is a deep-penetrating oil that can be used as a moisturizer, or as a treatment for muscle aches.

Even though the price of ratites has decreased greatly over the last few years as the industry shifts from a more limited breeding market to a commercial market, the death or theft of a bird can still be a financial blow. Learning how to raise ratites is time-consuming and will probably be very difficult for someone with no other livestock experiences. However, the cost of production is dropping, as the rate of egg-laying per breeder bird increases, and as a larger survival rate to slaughter age is attained.

With better production and culling practices, more producers will be able to make a profit selling their ratites. Some producers are starting to split aspects of production with other producers to improve efficiency; one specializes in egg hatching and brooding, while the other specializes in feeding birds for slaughter.

Anyone interested in getting into the ratite business should exercise considerable caution, and not expect to make big, quick profits. Consider ratite production as a very risky, long-term enterprise. It would be hazardous to borrow a lot of money or use retirement funds to begin any high-risk business. Before starting a ratite enterprise, carefully calculate the costs and returns possible, and decide whether the potential return on investment compares with alternative options, such as savings, stocks, or mutual funds. The ratite market will continue to be very risky until the meat becomes a more stable niche product for restaurants and is available from other non-specialty markets such as groceries and fast-food restaurants.

The new ratite producer should find an established producer to work with. The established producer can extend valuable advice and help in setting up and beginning the new operation. It is important to work with producers who can be trusted and are willing to work with the new producer. It is especially hard for inexperienced buyers to judge the quality of birds themselves. Many inexperienced and even experienced producers have bought birds that are not of the expected quality, or were too closely related to be good breeding stock. It is easy to lose a lot of money on an inappropriate purchase.

SOME MARKETING OPTIONS TO CONSIDER ARE:

• SALE TO PROCESSOR FOR SLAUGHTER
• SALE OF BREEDING STOCK TO OTHER PRODUCERS
• SALE OR PURCHASE OF YOUNG BIRDS TO RAISE FOR SLAUGHTER
• STARTING OR JOINING A MARKETING COOPERATIVE
• PROCESSING THE BIRDS AND DIRECT-MARKETING THE PRODUCTS

It is very important to research your marketing options and consider such factors as market stability; cost of production including both variable and fixed costs; and state and federal regulations.

Conclusion

It is very important that all aspects of the ratite business are researched since a lot of money, personal time, and energy will be invested into this 365-day-per-year enterprise. There will be rewards and profits for successful breeders; there are also great potential risks and many difficulties in starting any new business enterprise. The bottom line is: Projected income should be greater than the costs of producing the birds. The ability to produce birds is important, but the ability to sell them should be the key factor in your decision to undertake this enterprise. Make sure the birds produced can be sold at a profit.

References:

1) Derfler, Philip S. 2001. Ratite and squab mandatory inspection. Attachment to FSIS Constituent Update, April 20, 2001. April 18. . 2 p.
2) Penrose, Chris and Dean Slates. 1999. Pasturing ostriches & emus. Amazing Graze. May. . p 2-3.

October 2001