About Emu
An year old Emu is around five and half to six feet in height, its weight is 30-40 kg. Fully grown Emu weighs 50-60kg.when it grows it changes its color thrice. In the beginning as it comes out of the egg up to 3 months there are stripes on its body. After 4 months it looks chocolate brown, after 1 year it again starts changing its color. The feathers on the neck fall off. Then its neck looks bluish green and feathers exhibit a variety of colors. There is no distinction between a male and a female. Generally 18 months old female is capable of reproduction, however in some emus this period can extend up to 2 years. As per available national data on an average during breeding period, female Emu lays up to 32 eggs. The breeding period is 6 months, from October to March. Emu’s eggs are dark green in color. Compared to egg of a hen they are 10-12 times bigger. People tell you that female Emu lays eggs after every 3 days. But sometimes it lays eggs after 3 or 5 days. To find out where it lays eggs is your business!
Emu has a long life. The American zoological record tells that Emu lives at least for 40 years. If we look after them properly Emus are capable of reproduction for at least 25 years. We can take it for granted that they produce 32 young ones per year. So in simple terms a farmer keeps these birds, looks after them well and produces marketable goods.
| Height at birth |
|
8 - 10 inches |
| Adult Height |
: |
5 - 6 feet tall |
| Adult weight |
: |
100 - 140 pounds |
| Color |
: |
Black and Brown |
| Health |
: |
Generally Robust, Hardy |
| Temperament |
: |
Friendly, Docile |
| Lifespan |
: |
30years (appro) |
| Breeding Method |
: |
Mated in pairs |
| Productive years |
: |
Up to 25 years |
| Eggs per year |
: |
10 to 20 eggs in the first breeding |
| season, gradually increases up to 20-30 eggs in subsequent breeding seasons |
| Age at slaughter |
: |
16 – 18 months |
Place:
Emu birds live on barren or bushy land and always flock together. So to set up an Emu farm non-agricultural or barren land from which water may run off easily is fine. A single bird needs minimum of 400 to 500 sq. ft. area. These birds like open land. An Emu farm must have minimum 20 birds (male female pairs). A grilled fence 50 feet wide & 100 ft long gives excellent protection.
A structure of 20 x 40 feet may be erected to give the birds shelter from Sun wind & rain. If one wants to catch a bird; instead of suddenly approaching it, one should slowly move behind it and catch it easily. Emus do not attack.
Food
Emu lives in a natural environment hence it eats grains cereals, pulses seeds of fruits, leafy vegetables and grass. However to increase the egg production foodstuff like crable pallet, grower pallet, holding pallet and layer pallet is recommended.
Labour:
The main work of a labor in Emu farm is to give offer them food, water and to collect their excreta. Hence the labour charges could be very less. A man can easily look after an Emu farm with 100 birds in it.
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