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JT Ranch header |
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EMU |
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Emu are large flightless birds that can reach 6 'in height, 3' in width at the shoulders, and weigh between 66–100 pounds.
They have very small (vestigial) wings, and like the much larger
Ostrich, can run up to 30 mph. |
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Hello There! Can you guess my name?. |
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| Emu are farmed on a large scale in North America with about
1 million birds in the United States. Emus breed well in captivity,
and are kept in large open pens to avoid leg and digestive
problems that arise with inactivity. They are typically fed on
grain supplemented by grazing, and are slaughtered at 50–70
weeks of age. They eat two times a day and prefer 5 pounds
of leaves each meal. Emus are farmed primarily for
their meat, leather and oil. Emu meat is a low-fat,
low-cholesterol meat (85 mg/100 g); despite being avian, it is
considered a red meat because of its red colour and pH value.
The best cuts come from the thigh and the larger
muscles of the drum or lower leg. Emu fat is rendered to produce
oil for cosmetics, dietary supplements and therapeutic products.
There is some evidence that the oil has anti-inflammatory
properties; however, the US
Food and Drug Administration regards pure emu oil product as an
unapproved drug. Emu leather has a distinctive patterned
surface, due to a raised area around the feather follicles in
the skin; the leather is used in such small items as wallets and
shoes, often in combination with other leathers. The feathers
and eggs are used in decorative arts and craft |
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If the test enus operation goes well, the economic
challenge will be to get to a minimum sized economic operation of at
least 50 active breeders and to achieve production benchmarks of:
In addition, we will need to meticulous management
practices to optimize feed and labor productivity. Other contributing
factors to profitability will include access to efficient, low damage
and low cost slaughterhouse facilities, an effective animal health
program, regular training of staff and good marketing. |
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Breeding |
| Emus form breeding pairs during the summer months of
June and July, and may remain together for about five months. Mating
occurs in the cooler months of November and December.
During the breeding season, males experience hormonal changes,
including an increase in luteinizing hormone and testosterone
levels, and their testicles double in size.
Males lose their appetite and construct a rough nest in a
semi-sheltered hollow on the ground from bark, grass, sticks and
leaves.
The pair mates every day or two, and every second or third day
the female lays an average of 11 (and as many as 20) very large,
thick-shelled, dark-green eggs. The eggs are on average 5 x
3.5 inches and weigh between 1.5–2 pounds, which is roughly
equivalent to 10–12 chicken eggs in volume and weight. |
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Emu chicks have distinctive bilateral
stripes that help to camouflage them |
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The male becomes broody after his mate
starts laying, and begins to incubate the eggs before the laying
period is complete. From this time on, he does not eat, drink or
defecate, and stands only to turn the eggs, which he does about 10
times a day. Over eight weeks of incubation, he will lose a third of
his weight and will survive only on stored body-fat and on any
morning dew that he can reach from the nest.
Newly hatched chicks are active and can leave the nest within a
few days.They stand about 10" tall and have distinctive brown and
cream stripes for camouflage, which fade after three months or so.
The male stays with the growing chicks for up to 18 months,
defending them and teaching them how to find food.
Chicks grow very quickly and are full-grown in 12–14
months; they may remain with their family group for another six
months or so before they split up to breed in their second season.
In the wild, Emus live between 10 to 20 years; captive birds can
live longer than those in the wild. |
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Quail Springs Farm |
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Mile 3.0 miles up Park Blvd/Quail Springs Road
On the way to the main entrance to the park
Joshua Tree, CA 92252 |
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1.8 miles
from the
Joshua Tree National Park - Main Gate |
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