| Emu Facts |
| EMU
( pronounced ee-mews), native to Australia, are the
world's second-largest living members of the ratite
( ra-tight ) family of flightless birds. Others include
the ostrich from Africa, rhea ( ree-ha ) from South
America, cassowary ( cas-o-werry ) from Australia and
New Guinea and Kiwi ( kee-wee), from New Zealand. |
EMU were
originally imported to the United States from 1930 to
1950 as exotic zoo stock. In 1960, the EMU was designated
Australia's national bird, and the Government of Australia
was banned the export of the emu’s. |
| The
expanding EMU inventory in the United States in domestically
bred. As research and sharing of knowledge increase,
the American EMU is emerging as the industry standard.
The American breeder market is vigorous and can be made
profitable for small and large participants. |
EMU are
curious and docile. They are about 10-inches tall at
birth, with black and white stripes. As 3 months old
chicks, they turn nearly solid black and change into
a tan, brown and black mixture as adults, some having
a bluish neck. The feathers are downy, with no stiff
vein running through the center. |
The mature
EMU is 5 to 6 feet tall and normally weighs 100 to 140
pounds. Flightless, they are strong runners and reach
ground speeds of up to 40 miles per hour in short bursts,
convering about nine feet in stride. |
EMU
adopt well from temperature extremes in excess of 100
degrees/F to below zero. No diseases have yet been diagnosed
as common to the species. They can exist on a simple
diet and require a lot of water, drinking 2 to 4 gallons
daily. They also will play in water or mud. |
The EMU
hen can be productive for 25 years or more and may lay
20 to 30 eggs in a season. A hen may lay as early as
18 months, but normally laying begins at 2 to 3 years
old. |
Pairs
normally breed from October to April, usally produce
one egg every three days. Incubation time is 48 - 52
days and the percentage of eggs hatched is apporximately
70 % . Chick survival rates on EMU are excellent. We
cannot over emphasize the hardiness of the EMU. These
birds have been traced back 80 million years. |
The green
egg normally hatches in 52 days, producing a chick which
will walk within hours and run within days. The chicks
achieve rapid growth, gaining their height by one year
of age. After six months, the birds have shed most of
their feathers for the fluffy, elegant feathers of the
adult. For most climate comditions, the birds need shelter
during the first few months. The birds are a very hardy
and adaptable bird. |
For today's
INDIA farmers, EMU farming offers an alternative cash
crop. With minimal investment in facilities and land
area, excellent feed conversion ratio, and an established
worldwide market, the EMU will provide a stable cash
return to it's owner now and in the years to come. |
The Indian
Government had in listed emu farming in poultry sector
. and also providing loans under venture capital funds. |
