20-12-2012, 05:59 PM
INDIAN EMU ASSOCIATION
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ABOUT EMU
Emu belong to Ratite family of birds & is the third biggest bird species after Ostrich & Cassowary. The birds have small wings & are in capable of Flying. Australia is the place of Origin for the birds. Emu is a social bird with dark whitish complexion. The birds live in groups & Can thrive under varying climatic conditions ranging 0 degree C. to 52 degree C. These Birds are Omnivorous and eat leaves, vegetables, fruits, insects, worms. They can be feed Modified poultry feed. It is clarified by the Chief Conservator of forest, GOM, Pune that Emu is an exotic bird and it has not been included in any of the schedules of wildlife (protection) Act, 1972. The provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and rules made there under are not applicable for these birds. As such no permission from forest Department is necessary For rearing, farming and selling of these birds.
PRESENT STATUS
Recognizing the economic importance. Australian Government in 1975 Started domesticating these birds living in Jungles by establishing big farms. This Activity spread to America. France and other European countries in the early eighties. It is reported that there are about 90,000 Emu farms in America and an Emu Association was established in 1993. The activity has also spread to China, Japan, Malaysia and Korea.
At present there are Four Emu Association in India. One is at Hydra Bad name of INDIAN EMU ASSOCIATION" Mumbai “NATIONAL EMU ASSOCIATION” headed by Shri. Sami Tambatkar. This two association working all India level. And in Maharastra level at Baramati in the name of “Maha Emu Association” headed by Shri. Sandip Taware and another at Pune in the name “Emu Farmer Association”. Headed by Mrs. Chitralekha Mehta. The experience of the farmer has been encouraging.
TECHNICAL PARAMETERS OF EMU
The birds reach their full size by the end of 1st year. They grow up to 5.5 to 6 feet with a weight of 40to 70 kgs. Laying period in India starts after 18 to 24 months and Eggs are laid during September to February. Eggs are dark bluish green in color with a weight of 450 to 700 gms . A bird can lay 20-60 eggs in a season. Incubation period is 50- 52 days and newly hatched bird will be of 6-7”in height. The lift span of the bird is 30-35 years. The productive economic life of the bird is 20.25 years.
Breeding
Breeding is a natural process of reproduction in the animal kingdom.
• Bringing the Emus together for mating is a lively affair.
• Emus get sexually matured after 2 years or between 20 – 24 months.
• Emus’ breeds during winter and rainy seasons.
• In early stages, female approaches male, during that time they are very playful they do a lot of actions like dancing, running, jumping, rolling, kicking and doing all sorts of aerobics.
• During the breeding time, both male and female turn more aggressive; they fight initially and have high probability of incurring heavy wounds and damages on both sides because of the fight.
• Emus are shy they usually prefer shadows or dark areas for breeding.
• The female emus make a booming sound, something like a bongo drum; the sound becomes higher while breeding. The males making a grunting noise.
• During the mating time, the male will not allow any kind of distractions that brings diversion or hindrance while breeding (for instance, it does not care about the farmer who enter in their place while the actual process of mating is in progress).
• The female’s air sac is much larger than a male’s air sac.
• The pair mates every day. The female lays an egg every 2 or 3 days, as soon as the male goes broody the female stops mating with him.
• Eventually the female leaves the first male altogether. She may mate with one or two other males after the first one.
These are situation to confirm that emus breeding process is actually taking place.
There are two methods of breeding emus.
1.Selective pairing method
2.Grouping method
Selective pairing method:
In this method, as the name suggests, selectively only one pair of emus are allotted in each area or pen. As there is single pair in each pen, the space will be not convenient for breeding. This may result in incompatibility for them to breed and will ultimately result in fighting and possibility of heavy injuries, poor mating, and decrease in egg fertility and finally results in poor outcome (i.e less hatching).
Grouping method:
In this method, a particular land area will be provided for a small (or) large group emus to breed. It is important to give them sufficient space to avoid fighting and to mate the birds so that the male: female sex ratio is about equal. This method of breeding increases the mating performance, increase in egg fertility and yielding and results in better hatching compare to the other methods.
HANDLING OF EMU
Emus are friendly to human; they are not aggressive on all occasions.
• It is easier to handle Emus by using various techniques as aids.
• Different handling methods to be followed in each stage.
Handling starter (or) chicks:
• In this stage the chicks must be handled with care; lack of any kind of attention may result in serious injuries to chicks.
• Do not fear them.
• Do not use rough handling on chicks.
• Hold the chick by using one hand on the upper part of the body firmly, until they are relaxed.
• Insert the other hand between the legs and lift the bird from the lower part of the body.
• Do not squeeze the bird whilst holding them firmly.
• While releasing make the bird sit on the floor, gently remove the hand from the lower part of the body and wait until they get relaxed then release the other hand.
• This is the method employed for handling techniques used for transportation, medication, etc.
• This method of handling can be used on chicks range between 0-5 months.
Handling grower & adult birds:
• After 9 months the Emus grow up to 4-5 feet, so catching & handling of these birds is quite harder.
• Emu’s legs are very strong and they start kicking while they are more aggressive.
• Once these birds are caught, they struggle at the beginning and they try to free themselves by kicking so that they can be set free.
• The breeder emus are more aggressive during the breeding season, the handler should be very careful in handling the birds during that time.
• It is more convenient to handle the birds in dark.
• At any stage when catching or handling Emus’, if the handlers lose grip or lose his control, release the bird quickly and move away instantly to avoid getting kicked.
Emus tend only to kick forward.
• It is safe for the handler to handle the birds from behind or from the side.
• Hold the wings firmly and always stand behind the bird.
• Do not lose the grip, spread your legs and keep the arms on their body.
• Take a deep breathe, give a little pressure on its body by using the elbow at the same time. Do not let go the bird and hold their wings.
• Wait until the bird gets relaxed. This is used for giving medicines, sex determination, etc.
• For injecting or minor surgery on wounds it is better to make the bird sit on the floor, giving more pressure on its body by using the elbows, push them firmly to make them sit on the floor
EMU Lifecycle
The large green eggs are laid gradually over several days, usually 5-9 days. The female then leaves and the male sits on the eggs for 8 weeks until they hatch. He hardly leaves the nest, and does not eat much during this time. The chicks are cream coloured, with dark stripes running from head to tail.
The chicks stay with the male for about 18 months. He misses the next breeding season. The female does not stay with the
. Because the climate may be harsh, it takes a while for her to regain her energy so that she is ready to breed in the next season with a different male