Basic Info – Emu Rearing and Breeding

Here is some basic information on Emu, and its rearing and breeding in a nutshell:

• Origin – Australia
• Family – Ratite
• Purpose of rearing - Oil, Meat, Skin and feather
• Life span - 30 years
• Chick weight at hatch - 400 –450 g
• Adult body weight - 40-50 kg
• Height - 5-6 feet
• Age at sexual maturity - 18 – 24 months
• Slaughter age- 14 - 16 months
• Sex ratio - 1:1
• Paddock requirement for breeding - 500 - 1000 Sq. ft. / pair
• Paddock requirement for slaughter- 50 - 100 Sq. ft. / bird
• Breeding pen size (open) - 150-200 sq.ft./pair
• Emu shed - 100 sq.ft/pair
• Egg weight - 500 – 700 g
• Shell color - Emerald green
• Number of toes – 3
• Incubation period - 52 days
• Number of eggs produced/year- 40-50 eggs
• Dressing meat yield - 35 – 40 %
• Leather produced/bird- 8 – 10 sq. ft. / bird
• Feather yield / bird- 400 - 600 g
• Feed type – Omnivores
• Hatchability - 60 – 88 %
• Handling – Curious
• Temperament of bird – Docile
• Oil production / adult bird: 5 - 6 liters of raw oil
• Running speed - 60 km/hr
• Laying pattern lays an egg - every 3 rd day
• Laying time- Late evening
• Breedable age- 1.5 - 22 years
• Laying period in India - winter season (October- March)