Emu Farming – Commercialization

Emus are members of the ratite family along with ostriches, kiwis, etc; and they are ubiquitous birds. They have become a big venture for farmers and they have a huge potential growth in profit making. These birds are eco-friendly, highly effective and excellent for business.

Emu Based Commercial Products;

Meat – is fat-free and comes in two varieties; red meat and white meat.

Emu skin – is painted and used for decoration and can be used for manufacturing boots and handbags.

Eggs – they can be consumed or the shells can be used for craft. The eggs are 10 -12 times bigger than (chicken) hen eggs with a weight of 600 grams. Emu eggs not hatched are used for craft works.

Emu nails and bones-they are use for ornaments.

Emu feathers– used for fishing lure, clothing accents, fans, wall hangings, flower arrangements, hats and many more.

Emu oil – the oil is extracted from below the skin with medicinal properties, used in cosmetics too.

Emu chicks

Emu manure

Emu Feed

Emus are foragers who have a wide variety of feed like leaves, grasses, native plants and insects; they also love caterpillars. As the season changes, they tend to feed on flowers and seeds especially in summer; then in autumn they forage on grass sprouts.

For an effective egg- production, you may want to feed emu foodstuff like crable pellet, grower pellet, holding pellet and layer pellet. You can also give the birds green leafy vegetables which could be grown and the cost of buying feed is lessened.

Bio-Security Measures To Be Taken In Emu Farming / Breeding.

The farm should be ideally placed away from the population.

The housing should be proper with adequate breeding facilities.

Proper disinfection procedures /foot dips etc., should be maintained.

The quarantine sheds should be separate and away from other sheds.

Routine disease monitoring procedures like post-mortem examination of dead birds and periodic sera antibody assay is recommended.

Water source should be tested for mineral, bacterial, chemical, contamination and pathogen load. The water quality should be checked periodically and if contamination is seen it should be treated with any sanitizer.

The other birds and pets should not be reared or allowed to enter the same farm.

The brooding space should be optimum.

There should be provision of showers, change over and dips.

Proper storage of feed to prevent contamination should be made.

There should be proper facility for disposing off or destroying the bedding or dead birds, etc.

The proper equipment is necessary and should be disinfected and separated.

The farm should have a water sanitation system.

 

Incubation And Hatching

Female emus lay eggs after every 3 days and when the laid eggs reach 9, the male takes over incubation by sitting on the eggs. Incubation takes about 52 – 56 days and on day 50 check if any chicks have hatched.

When the male emu is incubating, it does not eat nor drink.  Emus lay between early December and January.

Hatching period varies from 46 – 56 days and ratite eggs need to lose between 10 and 18 percent of their weight (in moisture loss) to hatch properly. Most growers weigh eggs weekly to monitor water loss.

Others cover parts of the shell with tape or fingernail polish to reduce water loss, or sand away part of the shell to increase water loss.

Nesting Material Or Breeding Boxes

Emus will use vegetation and/or debris from within their enclosure for building nests. Nests may consist of a thin mattress of grass or other trampled vegetation alongside a bush or other protective covering such as a tree or mound of rocks, or among dead and dry fallen branches. Sometimes eggs are laid on the bare ground and surrounded by materials such as sticks, twigs, dry leaves, bark, straw, and feathers.

Reproduction Cycle

Emus begin their reproduction cycle as early as 18 months yet it usually begins at 2 – 3 years of age. In the first year, layers typically lay a few eggs. How To Raise Emus The average egg production is 20-50 eggs though there are chances that a layer may lay less or more eggs; hence the egg production in the future is unpredictable. Emus can reproduce for as long as 20 years, considering that they can live up to 40 years.

Equipments For Emu Farm

Water, feeders and egg trays are required especially incubators when the egg production is high and unmanageable for am individual farmer; therefore, labourers will be needed when removing eggs from nests.  Farmers are encouraged to either invest in owning your equipment though it will be costly; another option would be to partner with another local business emu farmer.

Emu Breeding Subspecies

There are three extant subspecies in Australia with a brief description:

• Dromaius novaehollandiae novaehollandiae – on maturity and during breeding season, these birds have a cream-colored (or whitish) ruff or bib of feathers starting a few inches below the head.
• Dromaius novaehollandiae woodwardi -the body is slender and the legs longer than that of the above subspecies and have paler feathers than the other two species.
• Dromaius novaehollandiae rothschildi – the pendulous pouch is almost non-existent in this emu; the metatarsus bone is long with a small diameter, making this bird taller and the feathers are darkest of the other species.

Record Keeping

Emu farmers should keep records for when they selling chicks, the buyer must have a track record of each bird and it is also beneficial for the farmer in the following;

• Identification – be able to identify each bird so that you now which bird patterned with and ensuring that related chicks are not sold. Leg bands are advisable because microchip will injure the birds.

• Parents’ previous history – know whether the emu was wild or captive born, date of birth or estimated date of birth.  Knowing about the emu upkeep from previous owner.

• Current habitation – type of environment the emu will be habited.

• Veterinary examinations – having records of any treatments, medications administered or operations performed on the bird.

• Monitor the reproductive stages, size and weight.

• Tracking the births and deaths of birds; and their movement.

• Other notable events

Ways To Capture An Emu

Food is the only tool needed to move an Emu a short distance; using a tray or bucket of food to lead an animal to capture facilities or transport boxes. Food is routinely used as a means to capture and transport.

Another form of capturing was using catching bags such as large Hessian sacks can be used to restrain Emus once they have been caught, or to transport them over short distances. Strong materials such as Hessian should be used for catching bags because the Emus have sharp claws that could easily rip through bags made of lightweight materials.

Market Establishments

When venturing into emu farming for commercial purposes, it is wise to know your target market and knowing which products will sell much faster as you do not want to be stuck with products yet no proper planning and strategies have been outlined.

frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Emu Farming – Commercialization along with detailed answers:

1. Is emu farming profitable?

• Yes, emu farming can be profitable due to the high demand for emu oil (used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals), lean meat (rich in protein), eggs, feathers, and leather. Proper market research and efficient farm management are key to profitability.

2. What are the initial investment costs for starting an emu farm?

• Initial costs include land setup, fencing, shelter, purchasing emu chicks (around 200−200−500 per bird), feed, labor, and veterinary care. A small-scale farm may require 10,000−10,000−50,000, while large-scale farms can exceed $100,000+.

3. How much space do emus require?

• Emus need at least 1 acre for 5-10 birds to allow free movement. They are active runners and require open space with proper fencing (6-7 feet high to prevent escapes).

4. What do emus eat, and what is the feed cost?

• Emus are omnivores but primarily eat grains, greens, insects, and protein-rich feed. A balanced commercial feed costs around 20−20−30 per bird monthly. Supplementation with fruits/vegetables reduces costs.

5. How long does it take for emus to mature for commercial use?

• Emus reach slaughter weight (around 30-40 kg) in 12-18 months. Females start laying eggs at 2-3 years, producing 20-50 eggs per season.

6. What are the main products from emu farming?

• Key products:
  • Emu oil (used in skincare, anti-inflammatory products)
  • Meat (low-fat, high-protein, sold fresh or processed)
  • Eggs & feathers (for crafts and decorations)
  • Leather (durable and used in fashion accessories)

7. Are there legal requirements for emu farming?

• Yes, many countries require permits (e.g., USDA regulations in the USA, state wildlife licenses). Check local laws on breeding, slaughtering, and selling emu products.

8. What are the common diseases in emus, and how to prevent them?

• Common issues: parasites, bacterial infections, and nutritional deficiencies. Prevention includes:
  • Regular vet check-ups
  • Clean water & hygienic shelters
  • Vaccinations (if applicable)

9. How is emu oil extracted and sold?

• Emu oil is extracted from fat through rendering & refining. It’s sold to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and wellness industries. Prices range from 20−20−100 per liter, depending on purity.

10. What is the market demand for emu products?

• Demand is growing, especially for emu oil in cosmetics (anti-aging, moisturizing) and healthy meat alternatives. Export opportunities exist in Europe, North America, and Asia.