What To Know Before You Buy Emus As A Business
1.) Have you researched available information on raising emus?
2.) Do you want to be involved full-time or will you hire someone to help?
3.) Have you prepared a Business Plan detailing costs and estimated return on investment over a 3-5 year period?
4.) Do you have the personal stamina and time to be involved in an agribusiness on a daily basis?
5.) Which parts of the emu business do you want to participate in? Breeders only? Fertile eggs only? Sell chicks only? Grow-out only? Raise birds for others? Incubate & hatch for others? Give farm tours? Wholesaling or direct marketing of products? Will you ship products?
6.) Do you know where you will market your chicks and products BEFORE you hatch any chicks.
7.) Do you have the physical resources – land, water, buildings, pens, personal health and energy? Where will you purchase feed?
8.) Do you have the financial resources – capitol for initial investment, expansion and the staying power to withstand possible market changes?
9.) What do you consider a satisfactory return on investment? How soon do you expect a return on your investment? Are you looking for a short-term investment with a quick return or are you looking at a long term, year after year program?
10.) Do you have faith in the benefits of emu products, i.e.: Meat, Oil, Hides, Feathers & Eggs?
11.) Have you visited various farming operations to assist in developing your own plan?
12.) Have you become familiar with the Animal Welfare Act/Bird Rules to make sure you are in compliance
Even If You Don’t Plan To Raise Emus As A Business
a.) Emu chicks grow extremely fast and can look over the top of a 4’ piece of plywood by the time they are 4 months old. They will reach their full skeletal height by 12 months and weigh 80-100 pounds at that time.
b.) Do you have adequate space and fencing for your emu to exercise and be protected from predators or just to keep them from getting out of their pens (emus can run up to 30 mph and can cover a long distance in a short time)? A 6 foot, no climb or chain link fence is recommended.
c.) Have you learned how to act around an emu and how to handle an emu when moving them from pen to pen or loading into a trailer? Always work from behind. Emus have a lot of strength in their legs and very sharp toenails. They can cause injuries, if kicked by them.
d.) Emus are attracted to shiny things and will peck at buttons, earrings, watches, even eye glasses. They do not have teeth, but their serrated beak can pinch and leave a bruise.
e.) Before you even start looking for an emu, check your local & state zoning laws to see if emus or their pens are allowed.