THE RATITE ENCYCLOPEDIA is the only comprehensive guide for the ratite farmer. Each chapter is a stand-alone article on a single subject, written by the top experts from four continents especially for this indispensable reference tool. Except on subjects such as tax considerations, each species is treated separately; for instance, there are separate chapters on ostrich, emu & rhea chick rearing. Subjects include the history & geography of ratites, record keeping, breeder management, reproduction, the egg, candling, incubation & hatching, chick rearing, genetics, diseases, biosecurity, anatomy, nutrition, meat studies, leather, emu & rhea oil, working with veterinarians, farm design & layout, microchips, hauling & transportation, legal aspects, insurance & tax considerations, equipment, products, services & a glossary of agricultural & medical terminology. The book also includes lists of national & state organizations, colleges & universities currently researching ratites, trade publications & other reference material. It is profusely illustrated with charts, graphs, diagrams & color photographs. The publisher's first book on record keeping set the standard for the industry. Ratite Records, P.O. Box 790365, San Antonio, TX 78279-0365, 800-926-4695.

This book presents a detailed guide to hand-rearing techniques for raising young birds, providing complete coverage of a wide variety of avian species and taxonomic groups for all avian care professionals. Chapters are written by expert rehabilitation, aviculture, and zoo professionals, and include useful references and bibliographies for further reading and research. Each chapter provides valuable information on appropriate intervention, housing, feeding, and care. Hand-Rearing Birds, Second Edition presents 50 chapters, including 12 new chapters on species or groups of species not featured in the previous edition. It also features color photographs that help illustrate many concepts pertinent to birds. This important reference: Offers a detailed guide to hand-rearing techniques including species-specific guides to caring for and raising young birds Covers a wide variety of avian species and taxonomic groups Discusses how to examine a chick to identify problems such as hypothermia, dehydration, injuries, and common diseases, and what to do Combines information on the science and skill needed to successfully hand-rear birds Presents full-color photographs throughout Hand-Rearing Birds, Second Edition is an essential resource for avian rehabilitators, breeders, veterinarians, and zoo staff.

Discusses the physical characteristics, habitats, and behavior of flightless birds.

The book contains a complete description of the natural history and biology of the Ratites and Tinamous - the group of flightless birds that includes ostriches, emus, cassowaries and kiwis. Each species is treated in turn, with seven general introductory chapters and full colour illustrations of all 55 species, as well as over 50 line drawings. The author has spent 25 years research on the ratites and has drawn together the extensive and often inaccessible literature on the groups.

Cheetahs and ostriches can definitely fend for themselves in their native Africa. Cheetahs have incredible speed; they're the fastest land animals. Ostriches are the largest birds, but they also have a kick so deadly it's been known to kill lions. What might happen if these two beasts squared off is anyone's guess. Both are equipped to do some damage. Readers can decide which they think would be the victor using the exciting information and vivid action photographs they'll find on each page of this engaging volume.

This reference gives the small animal practitioner a complete information source for the basics of avian medicine and surgery. It pulls together the international expertise of the avian veterinary community by incorporating the knowledge of authors world-wide. The first six chapters cover the basic medical information needed to run a primary care avian practice. The focus here is on introductory level material and the average companion animal practice. If you see between one and five birds a week, this text is for you. The later chapters are species-specific and help the veterinarian in evaluating, treating, and/or referring various bird species. The new edition builds on the success of the first edition and includes full colour illustrations throughout. First 6 chapters: cover basic information needed to run a primary care avian practice Later chapters: species-specific helping veterinarians to build up their knowledge in order to evaluate, treat and/or refer Multi-author text combining best practice tips and different techniques from avian experts worldwide: the editors are from 3 different countries and the chapter authors from many more Provides quick access to crucial information for the non-specialist Offers the basics of avian medicine and surgery . Fully up-dated throughout . Full colour throughout . Increase of line drawings and illustrations in general . Better quality images . Includes practice tip highlights throughout

We share the earth with a wide variety of animal species, each of which brings something special to the diversity of the planet. By knowing more about how animals behave and live, we gain a greater understanding of how life evolved and the importance of biodiversity. This volume provides a complete guide to those birds that have evolved a trait that would seem to harm their ability to survive - flightlessness. Flight has its advantages - why would some birds be flightless? Flightless Birds covers the loss of flight in birds, both permanently after years of evolution, and temporarily as a result of unusual molting behavior, and those species that are in various stages of losing their flight. The book provides a thorough guide, perfect for research papers in biology classes, for understanding the behavior and biodiversity of a fascinating and unusual group of animals. Flightless Birds includes sections on the major groups of flightless birds: Rarities whose ancient ancestors were on the continents when they broke away millions of years ago, and who survived despite competing with mammals; birds that were marooned on islands in the ocean, where food was plentiful and predators absent; penguins, which evolved alongside seas teeming with food and had no need to fly, and the special case of New Zealand's many flightless species which evolved in a predator-free paradise but could not cope with the settlers and their alien animals; and the many species which have become extinct within historic times. Beautifully illustrated, with numerous color photos, Flightless Birds provides copious material for understanding these unusual animals.

A comprehensive review of all aspects of ostrich production including a series of case histories from some countries that farm ostriches commercially: important countries such as South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe; newly re-emerging industries such as Australia; and countries where production is less developed, such as Kenya, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).