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The Timeless Emu
The emu is a prehistoric, flightless bird which roamed the outback of Australia 80 million years ago. Much like the Native Americans' relationship with the bison, the Aborigines looked upon the emu (Kalaya in Aborigine) as the core of their existence. The emu provided them with food, clothing shelter and spiritual sustenance. Today, this bird of the past is playing a large role in the future of American agriculture. Mature emu breeder hens can produce 20 - 50 chicks each year (October to April season) and can be productive for 20 years or more, making them far more profitable than traditional livestock. The Emu Diet
In the wild, emu eat fruits, flowers, insects, seeds and green vegetation; they love caterpillars. To aid in their digestive process, they will swallow large stones. They need water daily. On American farms, emu are raised on feed formulated to optimize growth. They are housed in spacious pens providing ample room to grow. Emu grow to be between 5 1/2 to 6 feet tall and weigh 110 to 120 pounds. Emu Eggs and Chicks
Emu eggs are dark green. The female lays an egg every 3 to 5 days. As she lays the eggs, the male (called a rooster) will cover them with leaves, grass, straw or whatever is available until he is ready to start incubating them. When there are at least 9 eggs, the male will start sitting on the nest. The male will incubate the eggs for 52 to 56 days. During this time, he will not eat or drink. When the eggs hatch, the first thing he will do is eat the eggshell. This helps to get his system going, and also hides evidence of the chicks from predators. The chicks will stay with the rooster until they are grown. On farms, the eggs are usually picked up by the farmer and put into an electric incubator. If the father is allowed to hatch, he is provided with food and water. Emu chicks are cream colored with brown and tan stripes. As they grow older, they loose their stripes. By the time they are 6 months old, they will be a chocolate brown color. By the time they are 2 years old, they will have lost the chocolate colored feathers in favor of the lighter colored feathers of the adults. |
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Emu Facts
Emu are members of the ratite family of birds, along with ostrich, rhea, cassowary and kiwi.
Ratites have flat breastbones and no wing muscles, so they cannot fly, but have instead developed strong legs for running. An emu can run 40 miles per hour for short distances.
Emu have 3 toes, the underside of
each is flat with a broad pad.
Emu have two main calls, a
throbbing drum (by the female) and a grunt (by the male). The
chicks whistle and the male will whistle to them.
Emu feathers are unique because
both the primary and secondary feathers are the same length.
Each feather has two shafts, with barbs so widely spaced that
they do not interlock to form a firm vane as in most birds.
Instead, they form a loose, hair-like body covering.
The Totally
Useable Bird
When emu are processed, the fat is refined
into a safe and stable oil, used in health and cosmetic
products. The low-fat, mild flavored red meat is sold to health
conscious consumers. The exceptionally durable, supple and
breathable leather is crafted into beautiful goods.
In addition, emu feathers, toenails and egg
shells are being used in unique fashion, jewelry and craft
designs. The feathers are also being used in high-tech
industrial cleaning applications.
For more information about emu please visit
our friends at the American Emu Association and Emu Today and Tomorrow
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