What do ratites eat?
It is important that ratite feeds meet the animals’ requirements for all stages of growth and development by ensuring that fiber, carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin and mineral contents are properly balanced. Many ratite producers purchase feed from companies that specialize in the production of animal feeds, thus ensuring a properly balanced feed to suit the individual requirements of the bird. Feed ingredients may include: corn, alfalfa meal, wheat, soy, barley, oats, meat and bone meal, fat, and grit which aids in the digestion of feeds. Commercially produced feed may come in ground or pelleted form. Ratites may also be fed forage such as alfalfa hay, or silage. In addition to feed, ratites require a good supply of quality water. It is important to recognize that ratites require a specialized diet. Adequate calcium in the diet is critically important to growing Ratites to ensure strong, healthy legs. Please see the Production section of InfoBasket for more detailed feed information
