American Emus

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is an emu?

A: An emu is a "ratite" - a flightless bird. The ratite group also includes ostrich, rhea, cassowary and kiwi. The mature emu is five to six feet tall, weighing between 90 and 120 pounds. The curious birds are born with black and white striped feathers but are tan, brown, and black as adults.

Q: When do emus begin reproduction?

A: Emus begin laying eggs as early as 16-18 months of age, but laying normally begins at two to three years. Emus lay large green eggs between November and March. Emus can be productive for more than 20 years and can lay 20-50 eggs in a season.

Q: Why is the emu called the "most usable bird"?

A: Emus are most widely known for their unique oil and low-fat, iron-packed red meat, but their fine leather, (hide), unusual feathers, toenails and exquisite large green eggs are also marketable.

Q: Where does emu oil come from?

A: Emu oil comes from a thick pad of fat on the back of the bird that was initially provided by nature to protect the animal from the extreme temperatures of its Australian homeland.

Q: What are some uses for the oil?

A: Emu oil has diverse applications ranging from cosmetics, soaps, and shampoos to analgesics. Emu oil has been shown to display anti-inflammatory properties and helps combat the effects of the aging process. Emu oil has also been proven to thicken the skin of the elderly by as much as 14 percent. Medical specialists are discovering the benefits of emu oil and are adapting it into their treatment techniques for relieving the symptoms of joints aching, preventing scars, and treating extra dry skin conditions. In addition to reducing swelling and stiffness in joints, it reduces bruising and muscle pain.

Q: What does emu meat taste like?

A: With more protein and less calories and sodium than most other red meat, emu meat is similar in taste and texture to lean beef.

Q: What is the best way to cook emu meat?

A: Since emu meat is low fat and loses moisture quickly, it is best when cooked to rare or medium rare doneness (145? to 160? F internal temperature as measured by a meat thermometer). For those who prefer meat that is well done, a moist heat cooking method is recommended.

Q: What cuts of emu meat are the tenderest?

A: The tenderest cuts are the select cuts that include the fan, top loin, and inside strip. Select cuts of emu meat adapt well to nearly any recipe. Because of its mild flavor, emu meat accepts most seasonings. It responds especially well to sweet marinades made with honey, soy sauce, ginger, lemon juice and garlic. Grilling on a barbecue after marinating is the best way to bring out the succulent taste of emu meat.

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About EMU Oil

Have you heard about EMU oil?
Emu oil is an oil made from the refined fat of the Emu, a bird native to Australia. It has been used for a thousand of years for the treatment of burns, wounds and bruises. It has also been used as a pain reliever for bone, muscle and joint orders. It is used to soften the skin while making it 2.5 times thicker and stronger, (thus reducing fine lines and wrinkles!) and is frequently found in ointments for dry cracked heels. It is considered to be the "it" ingredient in beauty products, such as natural analgesics, non-surgical facelifts and wrinkle removers because it is the only natural oil that penetrates the skin the fastest. Emu oil has has been shown in studies to aid in reducing scar formation in healed burn wounds, muscle sprains and arthritis due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to lighten the skin's appearance.

What can it do for you?
Emu oil is a proven anti-inflammatory, with effects comparable to that of ibuprofen; a bacteriostatic, meaning that it does not promote the growth of bacteria; a Hypoallergenic, which means it is not known to cause skin irritation or have any side effects; a highly penetrating oil that absorbs without leaving a greasy feel; and a non-comedogenic, meaning that it does not clog pores. Emu oil naturally contains Vitamin E, which is a major antioxidant and healing agent; Vitamin A, a known skin repairer and antioxidant; Linoleic acid, which helps to ease muscle aches and joint pain; Oleic acid, which is a proven skin cell regenerator and anti-wrinkle agent; Sapogens, proven skin softeners; and Terpines, known antiseptics. Emu oil products make wonderful moisturizers that can smooth and condition rough elbows, knees and heels; soften and moisturize hands and cuticles; reduce the itching and flakiness associated with dry skin; and protect the face and hands from wind and weather. Best of all, emu oil skin care products contain powerful antioxidants, as well as a known skin cell regenerator and anti-wrinkle agent, helping to improve the condition of aging skin. Offering both skin-thickening and moisturizing properties, emu oil skin care products help counter the wrinkles and dry, scaly, thinning skin that commonly occur with aging by moisturizing, lubricating and replenishing dry or irritated skin on the face, hands and body: and by preventing additional moisture loss by forming a protective barrier. Naturally enriched with pain relieving and anti-inflammatory agents, emu oil products also reduce discomfort and soothe sore muscles and joints offering a fast respite from leg cramps, muscle aches, pains and pulls. Used increasingly in sports medicine, emu oil products are applied by professional sports teams and fitness centers around the world. Finally, the natural bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory and cell regeneration properties of emu oil help repair minor wounds quickly and with less scarring. These same qualities have also been shown to help reverse the effects of hair loss as well as certain chronic skin disorders. In addition, these properties can help:

• treat acne
• lessen the pain and scarring of burns and sunburns
• lessen wrinkles and fine lines
• alleviate the discomfort of eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash and shingles
• reduce pain and infection from insect bites & stings
• assist in the repair of skin damage, including scars, wrinkles and stretch marks
• assist in arthritis problems, diabetes skin breakdown, hair loss, skin growth, athlete's foot, bruising, skin rashes, itching, chapped lips, chapped heels

Emu Oil: a few potential uses in cancer therapy
Emu Oil may be useful in treating radiation burns from chemotherapy and may provide relief for joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors Emu oil also absorbs rapidly from the skin and inhibits a good ”transdermal" penetration, which aids in the distribution of oxygen throughout the body. For baby skin care, emu oil is soothing to your baby's skin, and may even be used as carrier for other baby skin care applications.

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About Emu Bird

About Emu
History The genus and species names of the emu are Dromaius novaehollandiae. Emu-birds are members of the ratite family along with ostrich, rhea, cassowary and kiwi. Emu are prehistoric birds that originated about 80 million years ago in Australia. Flightless, but they have strong legs and run very fast and can run up to speeds of 30 miles per hour (50 kilometers per hour). Emus are also very good swimmers. Wings are only 1/10th the length of its body Brown in color; They have 3 toes; the underside of each toe is flattened with a broad pad. Two main calls: a gutteral grunt and a throbbing drum. Emu's were imported into the United States from the 1930's through the late 1950's as exotic zoo stock. Today, the exportation of live birds and eggs is prohibited from Australia Exports of processed emu products from Australia, however, are on the rise as emu begins to gain acceptance worldwide for its unique qualities Emus are raised throughout the world and have adapted to a variety of conditions ranging from the cold winters to the extreme heat Normally Emu's lives up to 40 years. Bill is broad and soft, adapted for browsing and grazing. In nature, the emu's nest is a shallow hole by a bush. The nest is lined with leaves, grass, and bark.

Taxonomy
In traditional Linnaean taxonomy, the seven major taxonomic groupings are Kingdom, Phylum or Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. Each may have several super- or sub-groupings. Alpha taxonomy, however, focuses more on the species end of that spectrum (e.g., classifying organisms [specimens] into species groups, and classifying those into genera, rather than determining the higher-level relationships between families or orders). Kingdom : Animalia Phylum : Chordata Subphylum : Vertebrata Class : Aves Order : Struthioniformes Family : Casuariidae Genus : Dromaius Species : D. novaehollandiae

Anatomy
Emu grow to be between 5 and 6 fee tall and weighing between 45 to 60 kgs. This makes the emu the size of most humans as adults. Habitat The emu-bird lives in the grassy plains and dry open farms. Diet: Fruits, flowers, insects, seeds and green vegetation; love caterpillars. Ingest large stones into gizzard to aid grinding process. Emus requires 6-10 litres good water daily Emus requires 3 times food per day like humenbeings.
Emu Birds – Reproduction

• Emu-birds become sexually mature at 2-3 years of age.
• Female Emu or hen begins laying eggs, male Emu are attending incubuation.
• The emu egg varies in size and color. It is usually dark green, averaging 5 inches long and weighing approximately 600 grams.
• Artificial incubation is often conducted at a temperature of approximately 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity that varies according to the climate. Average incubation time ranges from 48 to 52 days.
• Emu can be productive for as long as 20 years, laying between 20 to 30 eggs in a season The female lays from 4 to 20 greenish-brown eggs in a clutch or group of eggs laid at one time. The male builds a nest on his territory and the female joins him when everything is ready. Breed-in period is from October through March.
• When the male starts incubating the eggs, the female moves away and she pairs with other males.
• However, a few may stay with the male to defend him. The mature Emu-bird females lay an egg every 3-5 days.
• The eggs are dark green to blend with the grass.
• The male waits until the female lays at least 9 eggs and then he starts incubating them by sitting on the nest.
• He incubates them for 52-56 days and doesn't eat or drink during this time.
• When the eggs hatch, he eats the eggshells to get his digestive system going and also to hide the evidence of the chicks from the numerous predators.
• When the chicks hatch, the males drive the females away and attack anybody who approaches the chicks.
• He takes care of the brood for 5-7 months and then the bond breaks down.
• Chicks of Emus are cream colored with tan and brown stripes allowing them to hide in the grass.
• As they become 6 months old, they acquire a chocolate brown color. Only at the age of 2 years do the young Emu-birds become colored like adults.
• Emu can be productive for as long as 20 years, laying between 20 to 50 eggs in a season.

Additional Emu Facts:

• Emus provide a red meat, similar in taste and appearance to very lean beef, that is lower in cholesterol but higher in protein than beef.
• About 18-22 kgs of meat can be obtained from a mature bird.
• Emu provides unique penetrating oil
• Emu's unhatched Eggs used for craft works
• Emu's Bone, Feather, Skin, Nail are used many purposes

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