Many growers use disinfectants prior to incubating. It is important to follow instructions that come with these products to avoid potential disaster. Top Top Brooding Early chick management of ratites is similar to that of chickens, turkeys, or game birds. They need supplemental heat for up to 4 months, depending on conditions. Heat can be supplied from above with lights or heaters, or from below with heated mats or floors.
Many growers use heat lamps.
It is imperative that the birds be given an area with a range of temperatures so they can select the temperature they require. If they get cold, they can move to a warmer area and vice versa. As the chicks age, their metabolism catches up and they become warm-blooded, i.e., able to maintain body temperature. This change takes several weeks. It is important to help this process along by reducing supplemental heat gradually.