History

• The genus and species names of the emu are Dromaius novaehollandiae.

• Emu-birds are members of the ratite family along with ostrich, rhea,
cassowary and kiwi.
• Emu are prehistoric birds that originated about 80 million years ago in
Australia.
• Flightless, but they have strong legs and run very fast and can run up to
speeds of 30 miles per hour (50 kilometers per hour).

• Emus are also very good swimmers.

• Wings are only 1/10th the length of its body

• Brown in color;

• They have 3 toes; the underside of each toe is flattened with a broad pad.
• Two main calls: a gutteral grunt and a throbbing drum.
• Emu's were imported into the United States from the 1930's through the late
1950's as exotic zoo stock.

• Today, the exportation of live birds and eggs is prohibited from Australia

• Exports of processed emu products from Australia, however, are on the rise as
emu begins to gain acceptance worldwide for its unique qualities
• Emus are raised throughout the world and have adapted to a variety of
conditions ranging from the cold winters to the extreme heat

• Normally Emu's lives up to 40 years.

• Bill is broad and soft, adapted for browsing and grazing.

• In nature, the emu's nest is a shallow hole by a bush. The nest is lined with
leaves, grass, and bark.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Struthioniformes
Family: Dromaiidae
 Genus: Dromaius
Species: Dromaius novaehollandiae

Anatomy

Emu grow to be between 5 and 6 fee tall and weighing between 45 to 60 kgs.
This makes the emu the size of most humans as adults.

Habitat

The emu-bird lives in the grassy plains and dry open farms.

Diet:

• Fruits, flowers, insects, seeds and green vegetation; love caterpillars. Ingest
large stones into gizzard to aid grinding process.
• Emus requires 6-10 litres good water daily

• Emus requires 3 times food per day like humenbeings.

Emu Birds – Reproduction

• Emu-birds become sexually mature at 2-3 years of age.

• Female Emu or hen begins laying eggs, male Emu are attending incubuation.

• The emu egg varies in size and color. It is usually dark green, averaging 5
inches long and weighing approximately 600 grams
• Artificial incubation is often conducted at a temperature of approximately 97.5
degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity that varies according to the
climate. Average incubation time ranges from 48 to 52 days.
• Emu can be productive for as long as 20 years, laying between 20 to 30 eggs
in a season
• The female lays from 4 to 20 greenish-brown eggs in a clutch or group of
eggs laid at one time
• The male builds a nest on his territory and the female joins him when
everything is ready.
• Breed-in period is from October through March.
 • When the male starts incubating the eggs, the female moves away and she
pairs with other males.
• However, a few may stay with the male to defend him. The mature Emu-bird
females lay an egg every 3-5 days.
• The eggs are dark green to blend with the grass.
• The male waits until the female lays at least 9 eggs and then he starts
incubating them by sitting on the nest.
• He incubates them for 52-56 days and doesn't eat or drink during this time.

• When the eggs hatch, he eats the eggshells to get his digestive system going
and also to hide the evidence of the chicks from the numerous predators.
• When the chicks hatch, the males drive the females away and attack anybody
who approaches the chicks.
• He takes care of the brood for 5-7 months and then the bond breaks down.
• Chicks of Emus are cream colored with tan and brown stripes allowing them
to hide in the grass.
• As they become 6 months old, they acquire a chocolate brown color. Only at
the age of 2 years do the young Emu-birds become colored like adults.
• Emu can be productive for as long as 20 years, laying between 20 to 50 eggs
in a season

Additional Emu Facts:

• Emus provide a red meat, similar in taste and appearance to very lean beef,
that is lower in cholesterol but higher in protein than beef.

• About 18-22 kgs of meat can be obtained from a mature bird.

• Emu provides unique penetrating oil

• Emu's unhatched Eggs used for craft works

• ORGIN: flightless bird, native of Australia (imported from USA originally)

• SIZE: At birth, 8 to 10 inches tall; Adult, 5 to 6 feet tall
• ADULT WEIGHT: 45 to 55 kilos
• COLOR: Brown, black and beige. Chicks are born with stripes, which they
start to loose around 4 months of age. Mature birds have blue necks and
mottled body feather coloration. There is no color differential between
males and females.
• HEALTH: Generally robust, hardy
• TEMPERAMENT: Curious, generally docile, occasionally fight among
themselves during breeding season.
• SOUNDS ASSOCIATED WITH GENDER: As adults, females will make a
"boomin" noise. Males make a grunting noise similar to a hog.
• LIFESPAN: 35+ years
• BREEDING METHODS: Mated pairs
• BREEDING AGE: Starts at 18 months to 3 years of age
• PRODUCTIVE YEARS: 25+ years
• EGGS PER YEAR: 10 to 60
• INCUBATION PERIOD: 48 to 52 days
• PRODUCTS: Meat, hide, oil, feathers and eggs
Emus (pronounced ee-mews), are the second largest member of the ratite group of
flightless birds. They are the national bird of Australia. Emus are native to Australia
and were originally imported to the United States as breeding stock for American
zoos. They have grown in popularity very quickly as today's premier alternative
livestock for the American farmer. In India Emus were imported in 1996 for
commercial purpose.

It is believed that the emu is a survivor of prehistoric times and dating back some
80 million years, roamed the outback of Australia. The Aborigines tribes relied upon
the emu for their existence. The emu provided them with food, clothing, shelter,
and spiritual sustenance. The emu will now play a large role in the future of Indian
agriculture too.

The expanding emu inventory in the India is domestically bred. As research and
sharing of knowledge increase, the Indian emu is emerging as the industry
standard. The Indian breeder market is vigorous and can be made profitable for
small and large participants
The EMU'S Habits TOP

Emu are curious and docile. They are about 8 to 10 inches tall at birth, with black
and white stripes. As 3-month-old chicks, they turn nearly solid black and change
into a tan, brown and black mixture as adults, some having a bluish neck. The
feathers are downy, with no stiff vein running through the center.

The mature Emu is 5 to 6 feet tall and normally weighs 45 to 55 kilos. They are
flightless and strong runners reaching ground speeds of up to 60 kilometer per hour
in short bursts, covering about nine feet in stride.

Emu adapt well from temperature extremes in excess of 100o Fahrenheit to below
zero degree Fahrenheit. No diseases have yet been diagnosed as common to the
species. They can exist on a simple diet and require a lot of water, drinking 4 to 6
liters daily. They also will play in water or mud.
Great Advantages Of The EMU In Agriculture TOP

The Emu hen can be productive for 25 to 35 years or more and may lay 10 to 60
eggs in a season. A hen may lay as early as 18 months, but normally laying begins
at 2 to 3 years old.

Pairs normally breed from September to February, usually producing one egg every
three days. Incubation time is 48 - 52 days and the percentage of eggs hatched is
approximately 65 - 90%. Chick survival rates on emu are excellent. We cannot over
emphasize the hardiness of the emu. These birds have been traced back 80 million
years.

The emerald green egg normally hatching in about 50 days produces a chick, which
will walk within hours and run within days. The chicks achieve rapid growth, gaining
their height by one year of age. After six months, the birds have shed most of their
chick feathers for the fluffy, elegant feathers of the adult. For most climate
conditions, the birds need shelter during the first few months. The birds are a very
hardy and adaptable bird.
Wonderful Skin Moisturizer
TOP

Australian Aborigines have long used Emu oil as a skin moisturizer to reduce the
effects of the harsh Australian sun and aging on their skin. Claims that emu oil has
unique anti-aging elements are currently under study with very encouraging results
to date

Attractive Emu Leather

Attractiveness
TOP

Emu leather is an attractive full-quilled pattern that comprises 100% of the durable
hide which has a natural beauty all its own. This unique leather is capable of
accepting many dye colors. It is one of the most attractive leathers currently being
utilized in the fashion industry. Supple, beautiful and exquisitely detailed, emu
leather is a top choice of many designers selecting dramatic reptilian textures for
their products.

Product Uses TOP

Eloquent emu leather attire as well as other unique emu leather items is becoming
more readily available as supply increases. Emu leather is well suited for
embellishing designer apparel, boots, wallets, handbags, hair accessories, jewelry
and many accessories.

Breathable Leather TOP

Emu leather is very easy to work with. A breathable leather making its
manufacturing into diverse accessories a big plus for future growth.