Fact Sheets
EMU FARMING:
The first emu farm was set up in Western Australia in 1970. In 1976 a company set up by the Commonwealth Government of Australia began an emu farm at Wiluna, with the aim of promoting a business for Aboriginal communities. Little did they know that this would be the beginning of creating a new type of farming that would spread world wide and that it's products would have far reaching benfits too so many people.
As emu's are a native bird in Australia this means that they are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Acts in each state. As a result of this emu farmers in Australia must have a licence to farm the birds and must adhere to strict regulations: only captive-bred stock can be farmed (This complies with the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species CITES) , fences must meet minimum standards, maximum stocking densities are regulated, emus are not allowed to be taken from the wild & farmers must comply with the International Treaties that cover the export of native fauna. Thus ensuring the protection of this most valued animal.
Each state of Australia has emu farms and emu farmers must also adhere to the various regulations that are applicable in each state of Australia.
The products that are produced from the emu include: emu oil, emu egg, meat, leather and feathers.
Emus are adapted to live in marginal land and they have minimal impact on the environment. This is due to the physiology of the emu foot which has a soft pad. Thus it does not degrade the soil such as a hard hoofed animal does. Therefore emus are an ecologically sustainable farming option.
Emus are farmed free range in their natural habitat in the Australian bushland. As they are territorial the ideal setting is an area that has a dense amount of trees. Thus emu farms promote the replantation of native trees. An area thick with scrub (trees/bushes) is also ideal for emus as they use the branches, twigs and leaves for making their nests.
Thus emu farming is an exciting, burgeoning industry that is able to use Australia's resources in a positive manner. It's main benefit from an ecologiacl point of view is that it ensures that emu numbers continue to increase through breeding programmes. Therefore emus wont become another sad statistic and end up becoming extinct like many other animals. It also means that Australia can utilise a native animal that is not harsh on the environment to prouce a range of products. Emu farming is a progressive industry with benefits for both the young and old!
For further information about Trees for Life look at their website: www.treesforlife.org.au.
EMU OIL:
Cosmetic benefits:
-
Rapid penetration of dermis & epidermis and as such can be used as a carrier
-
High in oleic acid (omega-9 fatty acid) also contains linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid) and linolenic acid (omega-3 fatty acid)
-
High in Vitamin E & Vitamin A
-
Contains sapogens that are skin softeners
Refer to this article for further information:
http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/Emu_Oil
EMU EGGS:
Emu eggs are unique and have a jade colour. The egg is made up of 7 layers and they can be carved to produce marvellous works of art. One emu egg is the equivalent of one dozen chicken eggs.
In Australia emus start laying eggs around ANZAC(Australian & New Zealand Army Corps) day (because thay are Australian birds!!!) which is in April. The day length and temperature changes seem to initiate the breeding. Emu's lay 15-20 eggs in their first year of breeding and then they lay between 25-30 eggs every year after. Their breeding season begins in April and ends by October.
The male emu makes a nest for the eggs out of twigs, sticks, leaves and feathers. The male emu sits on the eggs to incubate them and once the chicks have hatched he raises them until they are 12-18 months of age. The father does not eat, drink, urinate or defeacate during the incubation period. He lives off the layer of fat that is located between the meat and the skin. The eggs are turned every 3 hours until the chick hatches. On average it takes 52 days to incubate an emu egg. If an emu egg is incubated in an incubator it must be set at approximately 35.5 oC (96.0oF) and between 50-55 % humidity. In the wild emu feathers and skin create the optimum temperature and humidity for the incubation of the eggs in the wild.
There have been unsubstantiated claims that ground up emu egg shell is an aphrodisiac.
EMU MEAT:
Emu Meat is high in Iron, low in fat and low in cholesterol (less than 0.05%). The meat is a red colour and has a similar taste to kangaroo meat.
EMU FEATHERS:
Are unique as they have 2 feathers attached to the one quill. The feathers can be used for: finch nests, in the Australian Light Horse Brigade slouch hat or in art and craft.
EMU LEATHER:
The body leather has a distictive appearance due to the raised areas where the feather follicles were located. The leather has a similar look to ostrich leather but there are more follicles in emu leather in comparison to the ostrich leather. The leg leather has a reptile appearance.
We are currently in the process of writing up a fact sheet on Emu Oil. If you have any other ideas for fact sheets please contact us.
REFERENCES:
1. O'Malley, Peter. 1994.Farming emus. Information and Media Sevices, Department of Agriculture.
2. Frapple, Paul & Hagan, Ruth. Taking the emu to market.Vol 3 1992. WA Journal of Agriculture.
