EMU FACTS

Dromaius Novaehollandaiae

Australia

Can grow up to 5' 5"

Can weigh up to 50 kg

Can remain fertile for 20 Years and can live for 40 years

8-12(Breeding Year 1), 15-22(Breeding Year 2) and 25-35 (Year 3)

Up to 56 Days

Grey/Brown with whitish patch around the neck

Some parts of the neck and the face does not have any feathers. The skin color is normally very dark.

Emu Bird has large feet with three toes. Their feet and legs are dark in colour.

Emu bird eats wild fruits, seeds, leaves, herbs and shrubs. They normally eat during the day.

In India emu birds mate between October to March. Most emu produce eggs during the age of 2 years while some can take upto 3 years to breed. During the first year of mating an emu hen lays about 8-15 eggs. The number of eggs increases in the subsequent years to 20-35. The eggs can weigh around 600 to 800gms.

After the emu hen lays the eggs the male emu builds a nest and incubates the eggs. During the incubation period the male emu does not eat or drink. It is only after incubation that the male emu eats the eggs shells to gain digestive strength.

Emu eggs are incubated for 56 days after which the chicks are hatched. It should be made sure that during incubation correct temperature, humidity and rotation is maintained. There should be adequate supply of oxygen and the incubation area should be disinfected properly.