Emu Chicks

Emu chicks are active as soon as they hatch, and can leave the nest within a few days. They stand about 10 inches (25 cm) tall, and have fluffy feathers with brown and cream stripes for camouflage.

This colouring fades after three months or so, and their feathers turn into the adult light brown plumage with darker brown or grey tips. It is estimated that four out of five chicks survive into adulthood.

Chicks grow very quickly, up to 2 pounds (1 kg) a week, and are full-grown in 12 to 14 months. They stay with their family group for another six months or so before they split up to breed in their second season.

emu chicks when hatch out have body stripes similar to squirrel later as they grow after three months they lose the stripe to turn into brownish black feathers.adult emu will be a large bird up to 6 ft ht. With long neck and small naked head.

Emu chicks weigh about 350 to 650 grams (about 67 % of the egg weight). For the first 48 to 72 hours,emu chicks are restricted to hatcher itself for absorption of egg yolk and proper drying. The brooding shed would be prepared well in advance with through cleaning and disinfection and flooring should be covered with gunny bags to prevent slipping of legs of young chicks. Emu chicks have long legs and are very active, slippery flooring will make emu chicks to have hip dislocation resulting in irreparable damage.

Arrange a set of brooder for about 25 to 40 chicks giving four sq.ft. Per chick for first three weeks. Provide brooding temperature of 90  f for the first ten days and 85 f till three to four weeks.provide feed and water with a brooder guard of 2.5 ft.height. Feed starter mash for first 8 week. Provide sufficient run space for the chicks to have healthy life.