The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-largest living bird by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. It is endemic to Australia, where it is the largest native bird and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. Emus are soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds with long necks and legs, and can reach up to 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) in height. Though they can’t fly, emus can run at up to 50 km/h (30 mph), using their wings as balances.
Emus are an important part of the Australian ecosystem and have been used by Indigenous Australians as a source of food, oil, and craft materials for over 60,000 years. They also play a role in seed dispersal and keeping invasive grass species in check. More recently, emus have been farmed for their meat, oil, leather, and feathers. Their inquisitive and docile temperament has led to their popularity as zoo animals around the world.
Here are some of the main uses and benefits of emus:
Meat
Emu meat is the largest use of farmed emus today. Emus are raised specifically for their meat, which is low in fat and cholesterol compared to beef or chicken. The taste is similar to other poultry and quite versatile for many cuisines.
Emu meat is considered a healthy red meat alternative, with many nutritional benefits:
– High in protein but low in fat – Emu meat is very lean with less than 1% fat content. A 100g portion provides around 25g of protein with only 130 calories.
– Rich in iron – Emu delivers nearly double the amount of iron compared to beef or chicken. Iron is essential for blood and muscle health.
– High in vitamin C – Emus naturally have higher levels of vitamin C than other meats. Vitamin C supports immune function and collagen formation.
– Omega-3 fatty acids – Emu oil contains omega-3s which are linked to reduced inflammation and heart health.
Emu meat is growing in popularity as a specialty health food and can be found in sausages, burgers, steaks and more. It provides excellent nutrition in a low-fat protein source.
Oil
Emu oil is rendered from the subcutaneous and retroperitoneal fat of emus. It has been used for over 40,000 years by Indigenous Australians for its medicinal properties. Today, emu oil is valued both for its nutritional composition and as a natural skin moisturizer.
Some key benefits of emu oil:
– Anti-inflammatory – Studies show emu oil exhibits anti-inflammatory activity when applied to the skin. This helps reduce swelling and irritation.
– Wound healing – Emu oil stimulates regeneration of skin cells and improves blood flow to accelerate healing. This helps reduce scarring as well.
– Moisturizing – The oil contains essential fatty acids that help hydrate and nourish the skin. The omega-3s allow emu oil to penetrate deeply into the skin’s layers.
– Sun protection – Emu oil provides a natural sunscreen effect by absorbing UV radiation. This helps protect against sunburn.
– Hair growth – Applying emu oil can help reduce hair loss and promote thicker, stronger hair regrowth. The Vitamin E may stimulate new follicle growth.
Emu oil makes an excellent natural moisturizer and skin treatment. When processed correctly to maintain fatty acid integrity, it retains all its therapeutic properties.
Leather
The unique properties of emu leather make it one of the most durable and flexible leathers. Emus are farmed primarily for their meat, but the leather is considered a specialty co-product.
Advantages of emu leather include:
– Softness – Emu leather maintains suppleness even after tanning. It has a smooth, velvety texture that remains soft to the touch.
– Strength – Emu leather is thicker and stronger than bovine leather, while still remaining pliable. It does not tear or crack easily.
– Breathability – The porous structure of emu leather allows it to absorb and release moisture easily. This helps regulate temperature.
– Low allergy – Emu leather contains no allergens and is one of the few leathers that can be worn safely by people with cow leather allergies.
– Water resistance – Emu leather has natural oils that make it highly water resistant compared to other leathers. It repels water well.
– UV resistance – Emu leather is highly resistant to ultraviolet light damage from the sun. It will not fade or dry out quickly.
Thanks to these qualities, emu leather is used to make a wide range of products including jackets, boots, handbags, watch straps, wallets, and furniture upholstery. It is 3-4 times more expensive than cow leather but offers superior durability.
Feathers
Emus have soft, fluffy feathers that have long been used for ornamental and textile purposes by Indigenous Australians. The feathers can be collected as a by-product of commercial emu farming.
Key uses of emu feathers include:
– Ornamentation – Emu feathers are used to make decorative items like dreamcatchers, jewelry, and Australian souvenirs. Their fluffy texture makes them desirable decorations.
– Dusters – Emu feathers are bundled into feather dusters that are superior for fine dusting of delicate surfaces like lampshades or ornaments. Their softness prevents scratching.
– Fly tying – The fine, pliable barbs of emu feathers make them well-suited for fly tying fishing lures. They mimic insect wings very well.
– Crafts – Emu feathers can be dyed vibrant colors and made into homemade crafts like bookmarks, hair accessories, angel wings, and more.
– Textiles – Emu feathers shed their barbs, leaving only the quill shaft. These are spun into textiles and fabrics with an alluring sheen.
– Pillows/bedding – Emu feathers make luxuriously soft pillow and duvet inserts. Their fluffiness makes them perfect for cozy bedroom textiles.
The increasing availability of emu feathers supports artisans, crafters, and fly tiers looking for specialty feathers. Their versatility makes them useful across many applications.
Manure Fertilizer
Emu droppings make an excellent organic fertilizer and soil amendment. Emu manure provides a slow-release improvement to soil nutrition and biological activity.
Benefits of using emu manure fertilizer:
– Rich in nitrogen – Emu droppings have a very high nitrogen content, around 6 times more than cow manure. Nitrogen promotes lush vegetative growth.
– High organic matter – Emu manure contains lots of organic compounds, increasing microbial life in the soil which in turn releases more nutrients.
– Nutrient diversity – In addition to nitrogen, emu manure contains a wide spectrum of minerals essential for plants like phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
– Low odor – Emu manure has very little ammonia smell compared to other animal manures. This makes it more pleasant to handle and apply.
– Weed suppression – The dense nutritive content of emu manure fertilizer helps desired plants grow vigorously enough to suppress weed growth.
Emu manure can be composted or applied directly around plants and crops. The high nutrition and bioactivity it introduces leads to healthier, more productive soil and gardens.
Pest Control
Emus can be used as natural pest control in orchards and vineyards. Emus will eat common agricultural pests like locusts, snails, beetles, grubs, caterpillars, and more. Their inquisitive foraging makes them perfect for targeting harmful bugs.
Advantages of using guardian emus:
– Reduce pesticide use – Emus lower reliance on chemical pesticides for insect control. They provide a natural, chemical-free method.
– Low maintenance – Emus don’t require specialized housing or equipment. They can be housed with other livestock and roam freely.
– Non-disruptive – Emus are low impact foragers, not disturbing the undergrowth. They just pick surface and canopy pests.
– Weed control – Their grazing also helps keep weeds under control between crop/tree rows.
– Fertilizing – Emu droppings left around the property act as an organic fertilizer. Their manure contains valuable nutrients.
– Cost effective – The small upkeep for a pair of emus is outweighed by the pest control and fertilizing benefits they provide.
Using guardian emus is an eco-friendly, low cost way to tackle agricultural pests. Their pest predation instincts translate well from the wild to farm settings.
Emu Farming
Emus are now commercially farmed around the world for their meat, oil, leather and feathers. Emu farming requirements are relatively simple compared to other livestock.
Here are some key aspects of emu farming management:
– Housing – Emus only require simple open shelters and rotate well around paddocks. Density is 1 – 2 emus per acre.
– Feeding – Emus graze on grass and greens but also need supplementary pelleted ration for protein and nutrients.
– Health – Common emu health issues include parasites, respiratory infections, and leg deformities. Overall, emus are hardy.
– Handling – Emus are shy and need slow, calm handling to avoid panicking and injury. Low stress is essential.
– Breeding – Emus form monogamous pairs during breeding season. Artificial insemination can also be used. Incubation takes 56 days.
– Processing – Emus are processed at 12-15 months age. Standard poultry slaughter methods apply.
– Products – Meat is the primary product. Feathers, oil, leather and eggs can provide secondary income streams.
– Costs – Initial breeding stock is the greatest cost. Feed, housing and maintenance expenses are relatively low.
Emu farming provides great alternative livestock income on small acreages, suitable for small scale and hobby farmers. Their simple needs make emus an easy addition to properties.
Pets and Zoos
Emus are docile, inquisitive birds that make unique exotic pets. Their popularity as zoo animals has also grown over the years.
Reasons emus make good pets:
– Intelligent – Emus are smart and can be trained to follow commands, play games and perform tricks. Their intelligence keeps them engaged.
– Social – Emus form strong bonds with owners and like attention. They will follow their owners around the yard.
– Low maintenance – Outdoor housing and space to roam suits emus. Their basic care is easy compared to other exotic pets.
– Non-aggressive – Despite their size, emus have calm temperaments. They are not prone to attacking like ostriches.
– Hardiness – Emus tolerate cold climates and have good disease resistance if kept dry. They don’t require intense healthcare.
– Novelty – There aren’t many people who can claim to have an emu as a pet! Their uniqueness makes them fun conversation pieces.
Zoos also value emus as an unusual educational exhibit. Their size and exotic appearance always attract attention and interest from guests, especially kids. They have become flagship Australian animals abroad.
Emu Race Events
Emu racing has grown into an established novelty event across Australian tourism regions. Races feature emus or emu-jockeys sprinting down tracks to the amusement of crowds.
Popular emu race meetings include:
– Barmera Emu Races, SA – Part of the annual Barmera Gala Day since 1991. Held on the shores of Lake Bonney.
– Camperdown Emu Races, VIC – Running since 2012 as a fundraiser for Camperdown Hospital and local charities.
– Margret River Emu Race Festival, WA – Three day festival featuring emu races, emu parade and market stalls.
– Kulin Emu Cup, WA – Held annually on Easter Saturday. Also includes family entertainment and activities.
– Coorong Emu Races, SA – Located on the Coorong lagoon, raising funds for the local community.
– Yarra Valley Emu Racing Festival, VIC – Yarra Glen’s main annual event focused on emu races and family fun.
Emu race days take advantage of the emus’ natural running speed and inquisitive nature to provide a quirky spectator event. The events have now become major rural festivals while also promoting the emu industry.
Conclusion
Emus are multipurpose birds that have transitioned from wild game to an agriculturally productive species. While still valued for meat and oil, their feathers, leather, manure and abilities as pest controllers demonstrate their versatility. Emus also make responsive pets and exhibit animals. With an inquisitive nature and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, emus are set to maintain their status as an Australian agricultural icon.