A review of ratite nutrition

This paper reviews the literature available on ostrich, emu and rhea nutrition. Information on the unique characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract and general biological information about these flightless birds is presented. The following information is discussed: nutrient digestibility in ostriches and emus, nutrient requirements of ratites, lysine requirements of growing emus, and ostrich and emu performance. To the authorʹs knowledge, there are no scientific studies published on rhea performance or nutrition.