Kerala, India
Emus commence breeding at approximately 20-24 months of age. Young adults and other unpaired adults should be maintained in groups in large pens allowing each emu to choose its own mate, thereby forming compatible pairs; this increases egg fertility. (Selective pairing will begin to take place from December/January each year.) If each pen contains only one pair of emus, they may be incompatible and poor matings will result, consequently decreasing egg fertility and causing possible bird injury.
When pairs form, they can then be separated into individual breeding pens. If the pair performs well, they can be maintained as a pair or, if you wish to separate them, they can be returned to the large group pen after the breeding season has concluded.
Alternatively, breeding emus can be maintained as a group in a large pen and not segregated into individual breeding pens. If this option is selected it is important to provide them sufficient space to avoid fighting and to sex the birds so that the male:female sex ratio is approximately equal.
Hens will begin laying from mid to late April each year, and most females will have completed laying by October/November.
Most adults are not physically aggressive toward farm personnel during egg collection. The few that get ‘too close for comfort’ can be deterred by facing them and holding up an arm or other object to make yourself appear taller than the bird. Walking toward them will usually make them turn away.
However, as a basic safety rule, do not stand in front of an emu within range of its feet; maintain at least 1 m distance. Emus kick and strike forward if they feel threatened or are caught but cannot kick sideways or backwards. The beak can pinch but generally causes minimal damage. Keep an eye on the feet.
Important Facts Related to Managing Emu Egg Production:
- Allow emus to reach proper breeding maturity of 20-24 months before introducing to breeding programs
- Maintain young adults in large group pens to allow natural pair formation through mate selection
- Natural pairing significantly increases egg fertility rates compared to forced pairing arrangements
- Observe for selective pairing behavior beginning from December/January each year
- Avoid housing single incompatible pairs as this results in poor matings, reduced fertility and potential bird injuries
- Separate formed compatible pairs into individual breeding pens once pair bonds are established
- Provide option to maintain breeding emus as groups in large pens with adequate space to prevent aggressive behavior
- Ensure male to female sex ratio is approximately equal when maintaining group breeding systems
- Expect egg laying to commence from mid to late April and conclude by October/November annually
- Collect eggs regularly to prevent damage and maintain proper egg quality
- Maintain minimum 1 meter distance from emus during egg collection as essential safety protocol
- Face aggressive birds and raise arms or objects to appear taller as effective deterrent method
- Remember emus kick and strike forward only, not sideways or backwards, and always monitor their feet
- Provide Yembroos® breeder ration 3-4 weeks before breeding season for optimal fertility and egg production
- Handle eggs carefully and store properly at 60°F to maintain hatchability potential