The changing Industry
Many emu farmers have seen a significant uptick in the calls from customers looking to add emus to their flocks. Most are just looking to buy an emu for a pet. The AEA has several members who are filling this demographic with emu chicks from emu pairs using careful nutrition, breeding and record keeping. The AEA has an interest in helping these small mob owners to be successful with their
birds.
That Insurance Commercial
The cute TV commercials with Limu and Doug are fun to watch but, viewers are
reminded that those emus are “Computer Generated Images” (CGI) making them
little more than a glorified cartoon. The AEA would like to caution potential emu
owners that most livestock, including emu, are not suitable as companions for young
children.
Emus might not have teeth, but they frequently use their strong, serrated beak to
peck at anything that looks interesting, especially fingers, skin, toes, clothing, hair,
eyes, ears, shiny objects or anything else they can get ahold of. These little “pecks”,
or pinches, can cause severe bruising and even break the skin.
Young emus, like their parents, are fitted with very strong legs and sharp talons.
Young emus generally have an aversion to being held or picked up. They will flail their very strong legs potentially causing severe lacerations.
Emus can run…fast. They are not home bodies. If they get away, they leave. Young emus especially are very flighty and prone to panic.
Emus grow…. fast. A small emu chick will be able to look over a 4-foot-high piece of plywood at 4 months of age and will be full grown, stretching over 6 feet high, at 8 months. This means they eat a lot and have special nutritional requirements.
Emus as Livestock
There has been a significant increase in the demand for emu meat and
oil products. The American Emu Association would like to help farmers interested in
pursuing emus as livestock to fill this growing market.
Many times, a small farmer just adding emus to an existing operation may look to
expand further into the emu industry down the road.
Contact the American Emu Association, www.aea-emu.org, for further information on
raising the next generation of emu.
Written by Amy Hall on behalf of the American Emu Association