The Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-03-17, Page 57Wednesday, March 17, 1993
Foursome invests in emu as an alternative livestock
by Pat Livingston
Emus are fast becoming known as
an alternative livestock for farmers.
Their pleasant temperament, docile
nature and adaptability to most
climates are attributes that contrib-
ute. to successful production. '
A group of four men Brad
Humphrey, Jim McGee, Wayne and
Rod McDonagh = decided last May
to investigate emu production. Once
they had gathered enough informa-
tion to make a wise decision, they
decided to proceed with the idea
and Brown Harper Emu Farms was
established as a breeding stock
operation.
Brad Humphrey, spokesperson for
the group, said they purchased 10
emu. last spring - two pair of year-
lings, and six 3 - 5 month old
chicks. Since that time they have
sold four of the younger emu.
"Emus are the second largest non-
flying bird in the world," said Brad.
They are members of the • Ratite
(flightless) bird family, which also
includes ostriches, rheas,
cassowrays and kiwis. In the wild,
emus have been known to live 30
years or more. -
Unlike most birds, there is no
visible difference between the
sexes. Emus will grow to between
five and six feet tall, and will weigh.
".up to 150 lbs. when mature. The
emu make distinctive noises; the
female a noise that is described as
deep booming or drumming; the
male grunting, and the chicks, up to
about a year old a whistling sound.
The emu is a native of Australia,
and itis reported that between 1930
and 1950, they were imported as
exotic stock for zoos. The Austra-
lian government put a ban on
exporting emu 30 years ago. Thus,
the emus now found in the United'
States and. Canada were hatched in
those two_c entries.
The emu mates for life, and
should be paired as early as poss-
ible for bonding purposes. Present-
ly, there are . two pair actively
breeding at the Brown Harper. Emu
farm, at R.R. 2, Lucknow. The
other pair, still considered yearlings,
are penned together to promote the
' bonding aspect.
Brad said the emu breeding sea-
son begins in the early fall and
continues through late spring. The
emu is very productive, laying
anywhere from 20 to 40 eggs per
season, when the eggs are contin-
ually removed for artificial incuba-
tion. Brad says. the egg production
is down with their emu and contrib-
utes it to the weather and age of the
birds. He said although it is com-
mon for the female to lay one every
three days, their females are laying
sporadically anywhere from every
six to 15 days.
The eggs resemble a large avo-
cado. They are very dark green
with ' tiny flecks of white, and
usually measure around five inches.
in length. •
At the time of this . interview,
Brown Harper .farms hid seven
eggs in the climate -controlled inti
bator facility located at Jitn_,s faint.
The eggs are kept in the incubator
for approximately 50 days and then
moved to the hatcher for one. to two
days. •
'At the. Brown Harper Emu farm,
three separate wooden pens 10 x
10', with sides five feet tall house
the emu. Outside runs are fenced
six feet in height, and during the
summer or winter the emus enjoy
their exercise outdoors. However,
Brad . said they keep the mating
pairs indoors during . the breeding
season, as there are too many dis-
tractions outside which would hin-
der the prolific production of eggs.
The diet for their emus consists of
a special blend of oyster shell,
vitamins and a mixture 'of grains.
Brad commented that during the
.laying season, the birds eat and ,
drink less than normal. •
While the four men who comprise
Brown Harper Emu Farm are in the
business to provide breeding stock
for_othexs, .eru_are raised for sev-. Rra
eral. other purposes.
'Emu meat, says Brad, tastes like
beef, is red like beef but has 'less
calories than beef. The cholesterol
level, is lower than chicken, turkey
o'r beef. •
The hide of an emu is similar to
ostrich hide, and it is used in boots,.
shoes, purses, clothing, briefcases
The emu have a pleasant temperament, docile nature and adapt to most climates. These yearlings
were enjoying the outside despite the fact that the snow was forming icicles on their feathers.
Inset: a closeup. (Pat Livingston photos)
and many other accessories.
The feathers can be used .for
fashion clothing, feather dusters and
fishing lures.
At processing time, approximately
fivelitres of oil can be obtained
from the layer of fat on the back
area. This hypoallergenic oil is of a
highly penetrating nature and holds
promise for development as a cos-
metic or medicinal base.
d_sai Leven the egg shelllsarP
used for making ornaments.
As with any other livestock,
sound management practices are
necessary to be successful.
And successful is what the four
partners of Brown . Harper Eniu'
Farms aim .for as they anxiously
await the arrival of their first
chicks.
The emu .egg resembles a large avocado; very dark green with
tiny 'flecks of white, and usually measures around five inches in
length. (Pat Livingston photo)