Kerala, India
Emu chicks weigh approximately 370 to 450 g (around 67% of egg weight) depending on egg size. During the first 48-72 hours, emu chicks must remain in the incubator for efficient yolk absorption and proper drying. Like poultry, emus require brooding during their early growth phase. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the brooding shed well ahead of chick arrival, spread paddy husk litter and cover with fresh gunny bags or burlap. Set up brooding equipment for approximately 25-40 chicks, providing 4 square feet per chick for the initial 3 weeks. Maintain brooding temperature at 90°F during the first 10 days and 85°F until 3-4 weeks. Accurate temperature control ensures successful brooding. Install adequate (5) water containers of one liter capacity and equal number of feeding troughs beneath the brooder. Chick guards must be 2.5 feet in height to prevent jumping and straying. Provide continuous 24-hour lighting of one foot candle intensity, using a 40 watt bulb for every 100 square feet area. Offer small carrot pieces to emu chicks as birds readily catch and show attraction to them. Beyond 3 weeks of age, gradually expand the brooder area by widening the chick guard circle and subsequently remove it once chicks reach 6 weeks. Feed Yembroos® starter mash for the first 14 weeks or until achieving standard body weight of 10 kg. Ensure adequate floor space for housed birds as these ratites require running space for optimal health. 30 ft run space is necessary; therefore floor space of 40ft x 30ft is recommended for about 40 chicks when outdoor space is available. Flooring must have excellent drainage and remain free from dampness. Periodic body weight monitoring of 10% of birds provides opportunity for correcting management deficiencies.
Ostrich facilities vary from emu in that chicks can be exposed to outdoor ranging during daytime as early as 8 weeks of age to facilitate fiber digestion adaptation. At 4 months of age chicks become sufficiently hardy and can be ranged outdoors with reduced risk of intestinal obstruction problems. Until 3 months of age birds require floor space of approximately 0.3-1.5 and 5-10 square meters for shelter and run respectively.
Important Facts Related to Management of Chicks:
- Avoid overcrowding in pens, during initial days provide sanitized water and anti-stress supplements
- Clean water containers daily, alternatively automatic waterers are recommended
- Monitor birds daily for comfort, feed consumption, water consumption, litter conditions etc for prompt corrections when needed
- Ensure adequate minerals and vitamins in Yembroos® feed for healthy chick growth and to prevent leg deformities
- Spraddle leg condition commonly observed can be corrected by holding legs together during the first 72 hours of chicks. This procedure can be performed particularly in the incubator
- Implement all-in-all-out rearing practice to ensure superior biosecurity
- Avoid handling birds during hot periods. Birds become excited easily, therefore calm and quiet environment in the pen is essential
- Birds readily grab any objects, so remove items like nails, pebbles etc from the bird vicinity
- Restrict unauthorized personnel and materials from entering the farm. Strict biosecurity must be maintained
- Never house birds on slippery and paddy husk spread surfaces as young chicks easily get excited, run and fracture their legs due to slippery conditions
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