Normally rhea chicks hatched from eggs 350-500 grams do not survive. Historically, the smallest chick I have raised hatched at 290 grams. This year the largest chick was 350 grams and the 4 smallest with no developmental problems were 250 grams.
All chicks are alive and well in spite of the odds.
They have been raised with TLC since the whole purpose was just to see if they would survive. They were carried around with us for touch to simulate the closeness of the nest until they demanded independence at day 2-4 . They spent their days in our organic garden and their nights on the floor of an indoor aviary until they were over 1 month old, much to the finches dismay. Their diet is mostly organic food cooked on the stove and supplemented. Their water is spiked with Kombucha tea.