I have one pair of Emu and they are always a big hit with visitors.... they are also consummate thieves!
So far the list of items that they have stolen from visitors is: a cell phone, a wallet (No I did NOT teach her
to do that!), and have attempted to steal jewelry, pony tail holders and generally anything they think will come loose. They
have stolen my glasses right off my face, screw drivers, pruning shears, paint can lids (one wore barn red lipstick for over
a week before it wore off her beak) and just about anything they can pick up or pull off. But never have they hurt in their
attempts to steal.
They
love to do a running dance that is a delight to watch! It almost seems as if they are trying to run, jump, kick and roll over
all at the same time. Truly funny birds.
Emu are the only bird that has a duel feather. Two feathers join at the shaft near the skin. The feathers are silky
feeling and great for arts, crafts and fly tying.
They are about 5 and a half feet tall when not stretching up and weight around 150 lbs. They are not as a general
rule aggressive but when attempting to catch one they can do a lot of damage with a powerful kick of those huge feet and lacerations
from the toenails is also possible if they are REALLY frightened.
They only lay eggs in the winter time and they will lay one egg approximately every
4 days and it is the male that broods the eggs. The eggs are about 1 1/2 lbs each and is a beautiful emerald green.
Great for artistic carving as the deeper into the layers you go, the lighter the shade of green making for some amazing artistry.
The eggs are edible and quite good I am told if scrambled.
It takes around 54 days to incubate one and a cooler temp of 97 degrees
is necessary as apposed to the 99.5 degrees needed for most other warm blooded eggs. If my pair start laying this winter I
will be selling the eggs to be hatched for 10$ per egg plus postage.
