Are Rheas Good Pets?

Are Rheas Good Pets?

Rheas are large, flightless birds native to South America. They are a type of ostrich, and are related to emus and cassowaries. A rhea is generally between 4.5 and 6 feet tall, and weighs between 70 and 120 pounds.

Some people keep rheas as pets. Rheas have a long life span, so if you get one it's likely it will be with you for many years to come. They also lay eggs, so if you like eating eggs they can be great pets! You can also eat the young birds if they are not able to survive without their mother. Also, rheas do not need much room to roam around in - a fenced off area of about 20 square feet is enough for them as long as they have plenty of food.

You might be thinking about getting a rhea as a pet now that you know how great they are! But wait - there are some issues with keeping rheas as pets that you should consider before making your purchase. Keep reading below to learn more.

The rhea is a large bird native to South America. It is closely related to the ostrich and the emu, but somewhat smaller.

I had the idea of becoming a rhea farmer several years ago, when I read that two of these birds can survive on the same acreage as one cow. My wife and I were living in an old farm house at the time; we had five acres of land, much of it wooded, and kept a few head of cattle. The idea of raising ostriches had occurred to me before. But ostriches are dangerous; they have killed people. Rheas are not generally considered dangerous.