About Rheas

PAMPAS POULTRY

H. C. Macfie, Trewarren, Llanddewi Rhydderch, Abergavenny, Mon., NP7 9UT
Big birds living in the open fields - excellent, tender, tasty, very low fat, red meat.
Telephone: +44 1873 840281 email MacfieH@mac-rhea.co.uk
Fax: +44 870 7064 104

About Rheas

The rhea is a distant cousin of the ostrich; it is about a fifth of its weight, but still a big bird at about 25kg at slaughter age (12--15 months), and standing over five feet high. Their homeland is in the plains (Pampas) of Argentina.

Both ostriches and rheas belong to the group of birds known as ratites. These birds are mostly large; all are flightless. Ratites occupy all the continents of the Southern hemisphere apart from Antarctica. Other ratites are/were:--

The Ostrich, living in southern Africa, standing up to 8 feet tall.
The Moas, alas now extinct, formerly inhabiting New Zealand. At their peak there were 27 moa species, before Man killed them off. Some species stood over 9 feet.
The hen-sized Kiwis, the runts of the group. Three kiwi species inhabit New Zealand.
The Emus and Cassowaries of Australia.

There are 2 species of Rhea native to Argentina: Rhea americana and Pternocnemia pennata (Darwin's Rhea). It is Rhea americana that we are farming at Pampas Poultry.

Although meat production remains our purpose in the longer term, for the time being we are producing the young birds as amenity livestock, i.e., a similar rôle as peafowl. Rhea meat will be on occasional supply - please contact me.

Here, we have a very attractive white strain. These big birds make an impressive sight in orchards or parkland. Chicks are available from mid-May each year. You are welcome to order your supply at any time.

About Rheas

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