2026 Emu Hatch-Along

[tlcmurphy]

The first hatch is wrapped up. 5 babies expected to hatch and all 5 did... FINALLY. Four standard and one blonde. The last 2 were a bit pokey about it. First hatched Monday, 1 Tuesday and the last 2 Wednesday evening. I did "help" them by removing the outer parts of the shell once I was sure they were ready so they could push out. They probably would have done it on their own, but I wanted to go to bed and know they were released successfully from their egg.

I have vent sexed the first 3 and they all appear to be boys. I will do the other 2 this morning. The guy I am hatching for wants to send off eggshell DNA to confirm my findings this round and build my confidence going forward. Hopefully we won't need to do the samples next time!

I need to put together a care sheet for the buyers. Even though these aren't my babies, I had a hand in bringing them into the world and want to set them and their new owners up for success to raise these amazing babies.

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What cuties, congrats!

 

[Slothinc]

They are so sweet you did great waiting for the last two to finally pip on their own! Excited to find out the genders of the last two!

 

[WingItRanch]

The first hatch is wrapped up. 5 babies expected to hatch and all 5 did... FINALLY. Four standard and one blonde. The last 2 were a bit pokey about it. First hatched Monday, 1 Tuesday and the last 2 Wednesday evening. I did "help" them by removing the outer parts of the shell once I was sure they were ready so they could push out. They probably would have done it on their own, but I wanted to go to bed and know they were released successfully from their egg.

I have vent sexed the first 3 and they all appear to be boys. I will do the other 2 this morning. The guy I am hatching for wants to send off eggshell DNA to confirm my findings this round and build my confidence going forward. Hopefully we won't need to do the samples next time!

I need to put together a care sheet for the buyers. Even though these aren't my babies, I had a hand in bringing them into the world and want to set them and their new owners up for success to raise these amazing babies.

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Look at that cute little playpen!

 

[Strawberry74]

It just might be the year of the boys! Most years I have been girl heavy, but all 5 appear to my inexperienced eye to be boys. Dna from eggshell membrane went out yesterday so we'll see if I have been successful at my new skill.

Baby's are all doing well. They are starting to get their legs under them. The pitter patter if emu feet stomping around in my office while I try to work is just too cute. They are also starting to pick at chopped kale.

 

[WingItRanch]

What are the chances that all of @Strawberry74 and all of @ShannonsChimkens are boys??? I'd be interested in seeing the results of the testing to confirm the vent method is accurate. Those are some crazy odds!

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

What are the chances that all of @Strawberry74 and all of @ShannonsChimkens are boys??? I'd be interested in seeing the results of the testing to confirm the vent method is accurate. Those are some crazy odds!

My little wry neck chick was a female! She was so fat, fluffy and talkative. I’m bummed about her.

If vent sexing is done correctly, theres 100% accuracy. The correctly part is the hard part. The females will never have a little white tip. If you see a doojabby, it’s for sure a male. I sent some photos to help @Strawberry74 private message but can post them here if everyone is ok with it.

I, unfortunately, caught the emus mating on a few occasions. The males are quite well endowed lol

With females, I check twice just to make sure the white tip isn’t tucked. That’s where the accuracy part fails.

 

[WingItRanch]

My little wry neck chick was a female! She was so fat, fluffy and talkative. I’m bummed about her.

If vent sexing is done correctly, theres 100% accuracy. The correctly part is the hard part. The females will never have a little white tip. If you see a doojabby, it’s for sure a male. I sent some photos to help @Strawberry74 private message but can post them here if everyone is ok with it.

I, unfortunately, caught the emus mating on a few occasions. The males are quite well endowed lol

With females, I check twice just to make sure the white tip isn’t tucked. That’s where the accuracy part fails.

I think you should post it for educational purposes. If people are squeamish about bird sexing, they're on the wrong platform!

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Female

Male

Unmistakable as long as it’s done correctly. If they are older than a few days, the males can keep the tip tucked and it can look female. That’s why they have to be sexed within a day or so of hatching. I check them after a week or two if they looked female at hatch. Just to be sure.