Erice the Emu and Eight Wild Chicks

[briefvisit]

Fourth time in nine years, here's Eric with his clutch: 8 9, biggest clutch of his ever:

 

[KadenL]

He sure is dedicated, I've seen him multiple times on another thread and he was just born to be a dad

 

[briefvisit]

It took years, K.L., before we made a wild guess at The Big Question: do the males generally only incubate every two years? or every year?

I think now it's generally every year. This means that yes, indeed, Mr. Mom spends an enormous amount of time rearing: two months' fasting during the incubation, then parenting right through to autumn.

Last year, Eric turned up with the Noo Mrs Eric the Emu just a fortnight after he ditched the chicks.

[Got faaaabulous footage of the chicks today by propping my smartphone up next to some wheat, and leaving it for a half hour: got chicks just inches from the lens.]

SE

 

[KadenL]

That's amazing! Man, I'll be raising a duo of chicks soon and I'm hoping I get a breeding pair because the chicks are absolutely precious. I'm starting to think that I shouldn't get a pair because I might never sell any eggs, and I'll be tempted to keep them all to myself!

 

[farmchick897]

I'm pretty sure females don't lay eggs without a mate (unlike a chicken). I only have breeding pairs so not for sure if that is true but I do know my female will stop laying once the male gets his clutch and starts sitting. I would also be surprised if you got 2 emu eggs to hatch and had 100% hatch rate. It could happen, good luck.

 

[KadenL]

I'm pretty sure females don't lay eggs without a mate (unlike a chicken). I only have breeding pairs so not for sure if that is true but I do know my female will stop laying once the male gets his clutch and starts sitting. I would also be surprised if you got 2 emu eggs to hatch and had 100% hatch rate. It could happen, good luck.

the seller I'm buying from has a 98% hatch rate and is confident that if I incubate correctly then I should have 100% as he says he precandels the eggs. I'm not sure how that works exactly but he's been selling eggs for years so I have faith. If I only wind up with one, I'll try to get a chick shipped that is close on age to the one I hatch.

 

[KadenL]

I'm pretty sure females don't lay eggs without a mate (unlike a chicken). I only have breeding pairs so not for sure if that is true but I do know my female will stop laying once the male gets his clutch and starts sitting. I would also be surprised if you got 2 emu eggs to hatch and had 100% hatch rate. It could happen, good luck.

I actually forgot entirely about the hens not laying eggs without a male, now I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for a pair!

 

[birdeo]

Quote:
all I have to say is beware

 

[KadenL]

all I have to say is beware

I plan to be careful and candle as best as I can throughout. The seller is reputable and though I never put 100% trust in anything, I do have a replacement insurance with him for infertile rotten eggs, so hopefully all will be well.

 

[farmchick897]

I do wish you luck with your plan but I see so many things wrong and I would be shocked to see you end up with a breeding pair of emus. When are you getting your eggs? Sometimes you can read and get all the advice possible and you still have to go through the experience yourself. Let us know how it goes.