'Look at the Ostrich!'
This is probably the phase we hear most often on the farm as walkers on the footpath can peer through the hedge and glimpse our emu and rhea. These flightless birds are known as 'ratites' which translates to the fact that they have a rounded breast plate without a keel, which is found in flighted birds. These birds are interesting as it is the male who does all of the incubation and rearing of the chicks. Although classed as similar to each other, the behaviour of each couldn't be more different. Our emu are highly interactive, engage in play and seek human attention. The rhea on the other hand are happy with just being fed twice a day and left alone!
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Rhea
Or more precisely the Greater rhea is a native from South America, where they have evolved to thrive on the vast grasslands, pampas and sparse wodlands. They are an ideal paddock species and in addition to grazing, can be seen foraging in the hedgerow.
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We have both colour phases here on the farm, the normal wildtype, and the leucistic 'white' ones. They are not albino, but merely lack some of the pigment required to be the wildtype colour. Our females generally start laying eggs in April and the male will incubate when there is a clutch. The chicks hatch after 42 days. We may have eggs and growing chicks available.
Emu
I guess not technically a farm species and one that does not contribute to the financial returns at the moment, but nevertheless a firm favourite. They are species we have always liked, we have the space so why not!
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Our emu journey started in December 2021 when we incubated eight eggs, six of which proved to be fertile. After a 56 day incubation period we welcomed the most charismatic house guests we have had the pleasure of hosting. Th majority went to new homes after three months, but we kept Maxie our first born and brought in Felicia, an unrelated female to make up an unrelated pair. They have matured nicely and 24/25 should see the start of their first breeding attempt where we welcome our first deep green eggs.
