Vermont Only: What is an Emu?

Emu (ee-mews) belong to the Ratite family of flightless birds. They are said to be an 80 million year old species in their native Australia, where they are the national bird. Australia has banned their export for the past 30 years. Until recently, Emu in the U.S. were held as exotic zoo stock. In 1989 a group of Emu farmers in Texas formed the American Emu Association, which now has about 3,000 member farms.

Baby Emu Chicks

Emu Chicks--1 week

Emu are curious and docile. They are about 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 color as adults. Emu, when mature, stand 5 to 6 feet tall, weigh up to 150 pounds and are long-lived, approximately 30 years. When we drive past their yards at Mill River, they all come to see the visitors.

Emu are extremely prolific, each mature breeding pair producing 20 to 50 eggs per year and can be productive for 20 years or more. The eggs are dark green, about 5 inches long and weigh on average 600 grams. The hen lays an egg every third day during the laying season from November to May, starting during the second year, sometimes during the third. In the wild, the male incubates the eggs and raises the chicks. The eggs hatch after 52 days, producing a chick which will walk within hours and run within days. The chicks grow exceptionally fast -- nearly a foot a month. After six months, the birds have shed most of their chick feathers for the more elegant feathers of the adult.

Emu Eggs

Green Emu Eggs; Decorated Egg

Naturally dark green-blue, some have a turquoise mantle. Some folks do scrimshaw or painting on the shells.

Emu are very hardy, easy to raise, affectionate and much more docile than Ostriches, which can be vicious at times. They adapt well to extreme temperature changes as do all Vermonters. No diseases have yet been diagnosed as common to the species. They can exist on a simple diet and require a substantial amount of water. Emu have an extremely high feed conversion ratio, roughly 40% by weight.