Homestead Emu Farms Ltd.
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Eric P. Johnsen, M.Sc.
General Information about Emus
The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is native to Australia.
Four species and subspecies existed on the mainland and islands
before European settlement; However only the mainland population
survived. It is the world's second largest living bird, measuring
1.8 meters (5 - 6 ft) in height and they weigh up to 50 kg
(120 - 150 lbs) when mature, the female being slightly taller and
heavier. Both sexes have brown and black feathering. The feathers
have two separate vanes due to the splitting of the feather shaft.
Emus have lived up to 30 years in zoos.
The Emu is a member of the Ratite family of flightless birds which
also includes: OSTRICH (Africa), RHEA (South America), CASSOWARY
(Australia and New Guinea) and the KIWI (New Zealand). The term
ratite comes from the Latin "ratis" meaning raft and refers to the
bird's flat, smooth sternum that is without a ventral ridge or keel.
They also have very tiny, underdeveloped wings, which accounts for
their inability to fly.
Although emus have always been hunted and used by the Australian
aboriginal peoples, they have been officially regarded as agricultural
pest by the European's and were hunted and slaughtered to avoid
widespread crop damage by large flocks. In recent years the killing
of wild birds has been banned and since the 1970's commercial
operations have started. Emus were originally imported into North
America from 1930 - 1950 for zoos and private collections. In the last
decade offspring of these birds have been recruited into farming
situations and are now found in significant numbers in the USA and
Canada, where they are adaptable to most climatic conditions.
Emus are pleasant in temperament, generally docile, curious, and
occasionally fight amongst themselves during courtship.
Emus reach breeding age between 2 and 3 years old (20 - 30 months),
and lay dark green, opaque eggs which measure about 5 inches long.
They are winter breeders (October to April), as reduced daylight and
cooler temperatures trigger production Emus bond in pairs during the
breeding season. Trios are extremely rare as most hens will not
tolerate another hen around the bonded male. There are no elaborate
courtship rituals. In the wild, hens lay between 7 - 20 eggs per
clutch and the cock incubates the eggs and cares for the young.
In captivity, where the eggs are continually removed from the nest
for artificial incubation, the hen will lay an egg about every three
week break from laying during the season. Some females may take a one
to two week break from laying during the season and then commence
production again. Emu eggs weigh 500 - 700 gms (1 - 1.5 lbs) and in
captivity hens have been recorded in production for over 16 years.
There are no visible differences between males and females and
birds can be manually sexed by experienced persons. Blood samples may
be taken from the chicks to ensure the accuracy of manual sexing with
DNA sexing. Adult females usually make a deep booming/drumming sound,
especially in the breeding season, while males make a grunting sound.
Chicks make a whistling/chirping sound up to a year old.
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Webmaster:
Karen Johnsen
Multimedia/Graphics & Animation Student
NBCC Miramichi
