Emu Eggs
These “Little Guys/Gals” came out of the refrigerator on April 14th and were left to reach room temperature. They will be set in the incubator on April 15th at 5PM. They were weighed and the lighter one in the foreground weighs 568g and the darker one in the background weighed in at 631g. They should lose 15% of their weight during the 7 week incubation, about 2% a week. Temperature should be 97.5° with a humidity of 30%.
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Tall and majestic, the emu belongs to a group of flightless running birds known as ratites, the most primitive of the modern bird families. The ratite family includes the kiwi, ostrich, cassowary, and rhea, all birds found only in the Southern Hemisphere. The emu is the second-largest living bird in the world (the ostrich is the largest). They can grow to between 5 to 6.5 feet (1.5 – 2 meters) in height and weigh up to 130 pounds (60 kg). Adult female emus are larger and heavier than the males. They have long necks, sharp beaks and small ears. They have two sets of eyelids, one for blinking and one to keep out the dust. Their feet are long, with three toes. One toe on each foot has a long talon, for fighting. Emu feathers are soft and light-brown with dark tips. Each feather has a double shaft. Males make a grunting sound like a pig and females make a loud booming sound.
Emu eggs are large and look like avocados. One emu egg has the same weight and volume as 10 to 12 chicken eggs! The eggs are dark green and shiny, with small pits on the surface. The brown-and-cream-striped chicks can walk just minutes after hatching and can leave the nest at about three days old. But they usually stay with their father for about 18 months. The father teaches them how to find food and stay safe from dingoes and foxes. The chicks’ striped feathers help hide them from danger. Emus chicks grow very quickly, up to 2 pounds (1 kg) a week, and are full-grown at 12 to 14 months but don’t reach sexual maturity until about 2 years of age. They stay with their family group for another six months or so before they split up to breed in their second season.
Emus have tiny, useless wings, but their legs are long and powerful. They can travel long distances at a fast trot and can sprint at 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour for quite a distance. Emus are the only birds with calf muscles. Their feet have three toes and fewer bones and muscles than those of flying birds. Their strong legs also allow the bird to jump 7 feet (2.1 meters) straight up. With good eyesight and amazing agility, emus can escape most any trouble! If they must defend themselves, emus can strike and rip with their heavy feet and nails.
Emu eggs are large and look like avocados. One emu egg has the same weight and volume as 10 to 12 chicken eggs! The eggs are dark green and shiny, with small pits on the surface. The brown-and-cream-striped chicks can walk just minutes after hatching and can leave the nest at about three days old. But they usually stay with their father for about 18 months. The father teaches them how to find food and stay safe from dingoes and foxes. The chicks’ striped feathers help hide them from danger. Emus chicks grow very quickly, up to 2 pounds (1 kg) a week, and are full-grown at 12 to 14 months but don’t reach sexual maturity until about 2 years of age. They stay with their family group for another six months or so before they split up to breed in their second season.
Emus have tiny, useless wings, but their legs are long and powerful. They can travel long distances at a fast trot and can sprint at 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour for quite a distance. Emus are the only birds with calf muscles. Their feet have three toes and fewer bones and muscles than those of flying birds. Their strong legs also allow the bird to jump 7 feet (2.1 meters) straight up. With good eyesight and amazing agility, emus can escape most any trouble! If they must defend themselves, emus can strike and rip with their heavy feet and nails.
The Pilgrim Goose Eggs - Placed in Incubator on March 9th at 8:00 PM (4 of 6 hatched and are at their Forever Farm)
Pilgrims are fairly docile, quiet birds and good foragers. They are ideal for a home flock. The geese weigh 13 pounds and large ganders can reach 16 pounds.
Oscar Grow, noted waterfowl expert from the early 1900s developed this breed from one or more of the auto-sexing European breeds such as the West of England goose or the French Normandy goose. Their name was supposedly assigned by Mrs. Grow to commemorate her family’s personal pilgrimage to Missouri during the Great Depression.
They were admitted to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1939.
This breed of goose is listed as critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.[2]
Oscar Grow, noted waterfowl expert from the early 1900s developed this breed from one or more of the auto-sexing European breeds such as the West of England goose or the French Normandy goose. Their name was supposedly assigned by Mrs. Grow to commemorate her family’s personal pilgrimage to Missouri during the Great Depression.
They were admitted to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1939.
This breed of goose is listed as critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.[2]