She lays her eggs in the nest the male has built, and then she leaves. The natural range of this bird extends across most of Australia. They do not live in some of the central regions because they cannot survive extended periods without water. In arid Australia, emus will travel hundreds of miles to find another source of food or water.
Emu populations vary from decade to decade depending on rainfall. In zoos and farms, these birds live in large enclosures with fencing at least six feet tall. If their enclosures are too small the birds will run into the fence and injure themselves when frightened. Humans utilize these birds in various ways, and one of the primary products that Emu farms produce is Emu oil.
It is the only extant member of the genus Dromaius and the second-tallest living bird after its African ratite relative, the common ostrich. The emu’s native ranges cover most of the Australian mainland. The Tasmanian, Kangaroo Island and King Island subspecies became extinct after the European settlement of Australia in 1788. The emu can grow to be as tall as 2 metres (6.5 feet) in height (1 – 1.3 metres at the shoulder) and weigh up to 45 kilograms (99 pounds). Male and female emus are similar in appearance although females are generally larger.
- In an outdoor area with sufficient greenery, they will find seeds, fruits, weeds, herbs, and other greens they can eat.
- The common emu is the only survivor of several forms exterminated by European settlers.
- Breeding pairs form in the summer months of December and January and mating occurs in the cooler months of May and June.
- The largest of these birds stands over 6 feet tall, and weighs up to 88 pounds or so.
- So, it will be even better if the outdoor space has some trees.
This species lives primarily in open regions where they can spot potential predators from afar. They also prefer regions with easy access to water, so they avoid deserts and desert edges. Their favorite habitats are grasslands, savannas, open subtropical forest, and more.
Some breeders even prefer to let theirs stand at about 8 feet as a precaution. These birds also range through more urban areas, like farms, pastures, orchards, and other manmade habitats. In fact, they are especially fond of farms because they usually have plenty of water for the birds to drink.
If you have emu chicks in the space, you should avoid using an electric fence. Emu chick plumage is not as how to wrap btc: swap bitcoin btc to wrapped bitcoin wbtc developed as that of adults. When fencing your emu’s enclosure, the fence should be at least 6 feet tall.
Emus also live close to Australia’s big cities, but are no longer found where native vegetation has been cleared for agricultural land. Prepare to provide at least 3000 square feet of space for each pair of emu you intend to raise. In all you do, never fence your emus in with barbed wire. The birds may get severely injured if caught in a barbed-wire fence.
You can look to build a shaded food pen with an area of around 8 square feet. The space required by emus is many times higher than the space needed by regular poultry birds like chickens. The massive size difference is primarily responsible for this disparity in space needs. Optimally, emu pairs need 3000 square feet of space or higher.
Reproduction of the Emu
The common emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is stout-bodied and long-legged, like its relative the cassowary. Both sexes are brownish, with a dark gray head and neck. Emus can dash away at nearly 50 km (30 miles) per hour; if cornered, they kick with their big three-toed feet.
Subspecies once existed on Tasmania and King Island, but they are now extinct. Emus live in eucalyptus forest, woodland, heath land, desert shrub lands and sand plains. It is found in desert areas only after heavy rains have caused growth of herbs and grasses and heavy fruiting of shrubs.
Besides, if you intend to breed emus, you obviously need a male and female emu pair. They may exhibit social behaviors and move together during migration, but they fancy solitude for the most part. Electric fences are dubbed https://www.forexbox.info/tradeallcrypto-crypto-broker-company-background/ to be the best for enclosing emus. Thankfully, one can get around this by using a fence charge with low impedance. Even on farms, these birds are difficult to care for because you need tall, sturdy fences to contain them.
Behavior of the Emu
Mating pairs stay together for up to five months, after which females lay large, emerald-green eggs in expansive ground nests. The males incubate the eggs for about seven weeks without drinking, feeding, defecating, or leaving the nest. The females, meanwhile, have often moved on, sometimes mating with a different male in the same season. Chicks stay with dad for about four months, until they are able to eat on their own.
Emus range over large areas, foraging on fruits, seeds, plant shoots, small animals, animal droppings, and insects. The female emu will mate with other males and will produce multiple clutches of eggs. They also require stones and pebbles to assist the digestion of plant material. They migrate on foot on journeys as far as 500 kilometres or more to find abundant feeding areas. These birds are diurnal, and are typically most active during the day.
Emu Description
Historically, Australian aboriginals hunted these birds as a source of food for decades. The common emu may not be able to soar, but for such a big bird it sure can run. This flightless bird has small wings relative to the size of its body. Its long, powerful legs, though, allow it to run up to about 30 miles (50 kilometers) per hour. Each emu foot has three forward-facing toes that allow it to grip the ground, thrusting the bird forward. A powerful kick is also handy for keeping predators at bay.
How Much Space Do Emus Need?
They forage in small groups, though solitary Emus are not unusual. When food or water is scarce, these birds travel long distances to find sustenance. https://www.day-trading.info/dr-alexander-elder-trading-for-a-living-trading/ Like ostriches and cassowaries, these birds are ratites, a group of flightless birds that normally have heavy bodies, long legs, and long necks.