Carcass and Component yields of Rheas.

SALES J., J.L. NAVARRO, L. BELLIS, A. MANERO, M. LIZURUME AND M.B.MARTELLA

BRITISH POULTRY SCIENCE

Año: 1997 p. 378 - 380

0007-1668

Three Greater Rheas (Rhea americana) and 5 Lesser Rheas (Pterocnemia pennata) where slaughtered, using the procedures conventional for ostriches in South Africa, in order to determine the expected yields of by-products and saleable lean meat, fat and bone of rheas. Differences (P < 0.05) between species were found in the proportional weight of the wings, feet, skin and liver. The wings, feet and head of rheas form a higher proportion of the carcase than in ostriches, whereas the skin of the former represents a lower percentage of body weight. Lean meat production from rheas (64 % on a carcase weight basis) is in the same order as for ostriches, broilers, turkeys and beef.