By Moira K. Wiley
When it comes to farm animal , a person typically think of cattle , gymnastic horse , sheep and other such animals , but there ’s a whole market for alternate livestock available to small Fannie Farmer interested in discovering a unexampled recess .
One such animate being that has made a bustle over the year is the curious looking bird from Down Under , the emu .
Beginning in the 1930s , the electromagnetic unit was contribute to the United States as an exotic zoo animal , but after found a domicile in the barnyards of producers across the rural area .
novel laws governing the ratite industry , such as mandatory Department of Agriculture review , have increased the validity of the industry .
Although they are study a long - term investment , emus do n’t postulate the large area of soil associated with many other types of livestock and due to the motley of sellable products , both small and large farm can successfully raise these big hoot that found their way from the Outback to America .
Emu breeding took off in the United States in the late eighties and became one of the loyal growing segments of alternative agriculture . Emus are no longer such an unmatched sight as the industry slowly builds consumer awareness mostly in two area — as a dispirited - fat cerise gist alternative and a cosmetic “ admiration ” oil .
Breed CharacteristicsOriginating from Australia , emus are the second big member of the ratite phratry of flightless birds , which also includes the ostrich , rhea , kiwi and cassowary .
Emus have diminutive wings and three toe . When born , they have easygoing , sinister - and - clean stripy feathers . As the skirt age into maturity , plume in various combination of chocolate-brown , black and tan replace the downy , striped chick feathering . A mature Emu novaehollandiae can reach five to six feet in pinnacle and librate between 90 and 150 pounds .
The birds can begin lay egg as early as 16 to 18 months of geezerhood , but normally laying start at two to three year . hen typically consist between 20 and 50 large , green eggs in a season spanning from October to April and can be productive for more than 20 years .
Emus tend to be queer and usually docile and non - aggressive toward people , especially if deal from birth . They can make very unique pets , as well as easy - to - address livestock . However , check anything shining — like jewelry or painted toenails — since they enjoy pecking at such thing . Though their pecking may be more playful than atrocious , their sharp-worded , nipper - like toenails can pose a safety scourge to homo . Even the tamest emu can unknowingly injure an inexperienced handler if it feels trapped or catch agitated .
Raising a FlockNew producers might look at purchase nut to hatch and raise . While this is a less dear route than grease one’s palms mature stock , it represents the greatest risk of mortality rate and will need sufficient time before the birds are productive and of marketable age .
Another choice is to purchase dame , which increase the price , but lowers the risk of infection of mortality , especially if purchase at three month of age or older ; chick six to 10 months one-time sell for $ 400 to $ 850 each , three- to six - month old sell for $ 300 to $ 375 each .
Raising Emus
Basic surgical operation requirement :
By purchasing yearlings , initiate - up costs are increase even further , but the birds will be productive within two old age ; yearlings sell for $ 500 to $ 1,200 each . Those who desire to begin output as quickly as possible should buy prove multiply stock , however , this is the gamey price option ; breeder yoke betray for $ 2,000 to $ 5,000 .
Before bring home fresh store , worthy accommodations should be established . If eggs are buy , incubation and hatching equipment must already be in shoes . With former chicks , yearlings and fledged razz , these item can be purchased afterward to diminish initial costs .
doll can be rear in a form of confinements , but minimum requisite let in a affectionate shelter that is sanitary and well ventilated . Also , access to an outside pen must be available for exercise to assure overall wellness and forbid rotate leg . ( Overcrowding is the single largest cause of expiry in chicks . ) Chick pens should be restricted to 25 birds per playpen with a far-flung heat source so that they do n’t have to huddle together to keep lovesome , which can cause suffocation .
Yearlings and breeding pair will require an outside facility with appropriate fencing and shelter . A introductory surgical process include separate pen for breed yoke and for farm skirt . Chicks are commonly separated in pen found on size , not eld . Shelters with adequate blank space , ventilation and oestrus should be provide , so birds can escape uttermost wintertime atmospheric condition and seek shade in the summer .
Although they ca n’t pilot , emus can jump clean richly and they care to get into fencing corners , hook their toes and roam over the top . Their jumping ability and fencing walk ask fences to be build up between five and six feet in height with all posts and fastener attached on the exterior of the pens .
Industry criterion indicate that two - inch by four - column inch woven - wire or string - link fencing is the best type of material to check electromagnetic unit . Many build producer employ these textile or no - climb sawbuck fencing . It ’s never advisable to utilize chicken conducting wire , as it is too loose for emus to get their metrical foot entangle if they render to hook a foot and rise over .
Once breeding pair make lay old age , producers should be on the lookout for those large , green eggs that many birds run to leave lying around wherever they may land . By providing a nest either inside a shelter or in a shaded surface area , you’re able to encourage female to lay their eggs in a specific smear , but this does not always work .
When collecting egg , producers may have to address with the male , who are the nest sitters in the couple . Once a male person notice a clutch of eggs to hatch , he will not generally move from that spot , even to eat or drink .
Some producer opt to countenance the Male concoct eggs , but chicks cover in the “ godforsaken ” may not be as tame as those hatched by the farmer . Plus , removing the eggs from the hens will induce continued testicle laying , so it ’s best to seek to retrieve eggs as they are laid .
Freshly collected egg should be cleaned , commit in an incubator and turned on a regular schedule . Incubators are used to regulate temperature and humidness and provide good air circulation . suggest optimal temperatures are between 96.5 to 97.5 degrees F with humidness ranging from 24 to 40 per centum , count on the equipment used and local environment .
The incubation period is usually 46 to 56 days , however the ballock are prompt to a hatcher three to five days before they are expected to concoct .
Hatchers are used to preserve temperature and humidity at constant level after a slight lowering of the temperature by one or two degrees and an increase of five to 10 percent in humidness .
Once chicks have dream up , they are move over 24 hours to dry out in the hatcher before being moved to a brooder loge . ( There are several incubator and hatchers available and you should research each eccentric to larn which ones will best go your needs . )
resourcefulness : American Emu AssociationP.O. Box 740814Dallas , TX 75374 - 0814(541 ) 332 - 0675Fax ( 928 ) 962-9430Email:info@aea-emu.orgwww.aea-emu.org
Emu Ranchers Inc.308 S. 1st St. Conroe , TX 77301(936 ) 788 - 5516
Magazines
Emu Today & TomorrowP.O. Box 7Nardin , OK 74646 - 0007(580 ) 628 - 2933Fax ( 580 ) 628-2011Email:emutoday@aol.comwww.emutoday.com
record book
Manual on Emu Farming , 1989 , by Phillip & Marie Minnaar ( available onwww.amazon.com )
Emu Farmer ’s Handbook Volume 2 : Commercial Farming Methods for Emus , Ostriches and Rheas , 1998 , by Phillip & Marie Minnaar ( available on Amazon )
Guide to Hatching and resurrect Emus Economically , by Janice Castleberry ( available from the generator atJanice@triplecranchinc.com )
When it comes time to feed the uprise chick , you may want to employ the expertness of feed troupe or build producer to find the correct ratite feed . An significant factor when choosing chick feed is to discover one designed to accomplish even ontogenesis without speedy weight profit , which can cause leg problem . Generally , skirt are fed a starter ration for three calendar month then fed a agriculturalist ration until they reach market age . engender stock is usually observe on a breeding ration for six months of the year , and a maintenance ration for the other six months .
With regard to disease and health direction , keep in mind that emus have a tendency to blot out illness , and stress is one of the biggest threats in all stages of the hiss ’s life . Chicks are most vulnerable to diseases and mortality from hatching until about three months of geezerhood . grisly biddy are frequently trampled or picked on by respectable chicks , so separation is commonly a good choice .
Besides stress , boo of all ages are susceptible to a number of ailments admit tummy impaction , looseness , ironware disease , crooked cervix and a bit of common livestock diseases such as Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis and Avian Influenza . Seeking medical advice from a vet experienced in worry for emus is the near course of action of action .
Striking OilConsidered the most valuable good , Dromaius novaehollandiae vegetable oil comes from a thick pad on the back of the shuttlecock — a natural protection against the uttermost temperatures of its country of origin . The vegetable oil has been used by Aborigines who relied on the “ therapeutic bird ” to cover wounds , burn mark and cutis ailments for thousands of years . Through testing and merchandising , the oil now has diverse applications in cosmetic , soap , software , shampoos and analgesics .
Ongoing report at a figure of university and aesculapian laboratories around the country have bear witness emu petroleum to exhibit anti - inflammatory properties and aid in carrying medicinal drug through the skin more quickly .
By find all the possible constituent in the oil , these scientist ’ findings may aid further increase the demand for this trade good . Already , electromagnetic unit oil is proving to be a wonder for many wellness and beauty phosphorus roducts that have found their way into health- and natural - food storehouse , on the net and in lineal - mail marketing campaigns .
The Other Red MeatEmus are unique in that they provide crimson meat when traditional farmyard bird , such as chicken and turkeys , bring home the bacon white and dark meat option , but definitely not red .
Considered the 2nd most valuable emu good , several study have indicated that emu meat is higher in protein , has few calories and less sodium than most other red substance providing producer with a good marketing campaign . These study let in a two - year survey by the University of Wisconsin - Madison that confirmed emu meat was lower in fat and higher in protein and other nutrients when compared with other democratic alternative such as bison , venison , elk and ostrich . Additional comparisons also incur emu meat lower in avoirdupois than chicken , turkey , pork and beef .
Although it ’s classified as poultry , emu is similar in taste and texture to incline beef . However , the fat and cholesterol content of emu meat is like to domestic fowl , and as a event , the American Heart Association recognizes Emu novaehollandiae meat as a healthy choice .
Like any new product , Dromaius novaehollandiae heart and soul has met with a lot of skepticism and has n’t quite made it all the way to the coarse American table . However , producers attempt to commercialise their substance may not have to see any further than local health - solid food stores , market stores or gastronome restaurants . time value - added products like emu jerky and sausage have also become salable items and lower end , tough cuts and trim can be trade for gamy - quality pet food for thought .
