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RHEAS |
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RHEAS |
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 July 25, 2008 |
Our two Rheas were purchased on July 23 of 2008 from Clint Walker of Barclay, Md.
They were hatched in an incubator and we took them home at only two weeks
old. |
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As with all of our young birds, our Rheas are kept under
lights until they are several weeks old. The photos above were taken at
the age of two weeks. It is always fascinating to me to watch our birds grow and change so quickly. The Rheas appear to be growing every day. In five months they shall stand at eyes length with me. Now that should be interesting... |
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On August 15, 2008 we moved the Rheas cage to the
outdoors. During the
day they roam free within the Buffy zone, enjoying the sunlight, eating insects,
fancydancing, and whistling. At dusk we return them to their crate
and the warmth of their heat lamp. At the age of six weeks, their feathers are fuller, and they have grown to approximately 18 inches from head to toe. Because they are constantly in motion, it is difficult to take a still photo of them. |
 Aug 15, 2008 |
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 Fancydancing. |
 August 20, 2008 It amazes me how they can twist their necks like a pretzel. |
 Kimie and I have been monitoring their growth by comparing their height to the metal bars of Buffy's paddock. At this time they are up to the second rail from the bottom. |
 September 5, 2008 |
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 September 11, 2008 |
 September 11, I noticed that Ludlow had a large lump in its esophagus. About an hour later it was gone. We're still wondering what he may have eaten. |
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 November 6, 2008 |
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UPDATE: The day before Thanksgiving Kimie and I went up
to the barn to feed up, and found that Isabelle had a huge tear in her throat. It
was apparent that her trachea was open and visible. This however, seemed
to affect her in the least. In fact, she was frantic and running around
in such a flurry, making it extremely difficult to catch her. After about ten minutes we
finally managed to corner her, and wrap her in a blanket. Kimie held her on her lap while I drove her
to the vet.
Unfortunately, there was little that our vet could do
for her. The damage was
irreparable-for she would not be able to eat. A piece of her
esophagus had been ripped out and was missing. Isabelle was euthanized on the
operating table. |
| Predators | ||
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A few days after we found Isabelle injured, I discovered this Hawk feasting on one of our free range hens. Though we shall never know for sure, our vet believes that there is a good possibility that the Hawk could have attacked Isabelle, as well. |
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| Shortly before Thanksgiving, our friend Danielle lost one of her Rheas to an unknown cause. She brought her lone Rhea to stay with Ludlow and Isabelle. I named her Ziggy. I am glad that she came to stay with us before Isabelle's passing, for I believe it would have been much harder on Ludlow if he did not have a companion at the time of Isabelle's passing. They have now bonded well, and cuddle in their little house in the evening. |
 Ludlow and Ziggy February 4, 2009 |
 Ludlow and Ziggy February 4, 2009 Ludlow can now stretch his neck to look over the top of the fence. |
 February 4, 2009 |
August 15, 2008 Ludlow and Isabelle. In the photo above the Rheas were five-six weeks old. In the photo to the left, Ludlow, at seven months old, is nearing his full size. He is now able to pop his head over the top of the four foot fence. |
 March 2, 2009. Ludlow and Ziggy |
 Ziggy, peeking out from their little house. |
 Ludlow October 10, 2009 |
Ziggy |
 Ludlow |
 Ludlow |
 Bruce and Ziggy |
 Bruce and Ziggy |
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Gypsy Haven Terrie and Bruce McClay P.O. Box 120 Galena, Md. 21635 gypsyhavenfarm@gmail.com |
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