Emus. They're the next plague of locusts decending upon us.

[BeardedChick]

did u see how cute it was walking on a leash?...

They ARE so cute - after they've been tasered into submission!

Pants-stealing-with-their-giant-dinosaur-claws rascals!!​

 

[greyfields]

I quote the Emu owner:

"A taser is something every Emu owner should own."

I think he just won the thread.

 

[gaited horse]

emus the other red meat its whats for dinner

 

[redhen]

Quote:
i have heard that people eat them..supposed to be healthier than beef...

..

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

Since I am invested in an EMU operation, let's look at it from a business perspective....

My friend's farm has 12 breeding pairs for a total of 24 birds.

Just about every part of an Emu can be utilized when processing them. (96% usable yield from processing)

Native to Australia
Ratite family of flightless birds
Productive - average of 30 to 40 eggs per year
Long-lived
Temperament: generally docile
Adaptable to most conditions
Size: 5 to 6 foot, weigh up to 135lbs
Breeding age: between 2 and 3 yrs

Meat from the emu is red, lower in cholesterol than chicken, and tastes much like roast beef. Between 35 to 45% of emu's weight translates to dressed meat.
Oil - A single emu can product close to one gallon of pure penetrating oil with natural penetrating and anti-inflammatory properties.
Leather - Emu hide is very supple, yet durable and can be used to make a variety of leather products.
Crafts - Emu feathers, shells, and toenails can be used in a variety of ways to make a variety of crafts.



The real money is in Emu oil.

A single EMU will yield 4-5 lters of oil. So 4 birds at the retail level are worth almost $1,300.

17 litres bulk sale at our competition is $1292.00
http://home.golden.net/~walkabout/prices.html

Other EMU links....

http://www.ofac.org/issues/resources_ratite.php

http://www.ontarioratite.com/

http://home.golden.net/~walkabout/facts.html

Definately a niche market. But has proved to be a money maker up here in CANADA.

 

[gapeachy]

Quote:
OUCH!

 

[greyfields]

That is so surreal, you can't possibly have made it up. How do you "milk" an emu for the oil, though?

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
OUCH!

I know, just glad he didn't say dismembered.

 

[Verboten]

Quote:
You probably have to "juice" them.

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

Quote:
I'm hoping you are being sarcastic. You don't milk them. The OIL is recovered during processing.