LIVESTOCKstarting off at 5 x 20m,
From page 37
are a couple of months old.
After that they will be put into
an enclosure with young of a
similar age. They reach full
size after around six months.
The backs of their legs are
covered in a hard, scaly
serration that requires
handlers to wear heavy gloves
to protect their hands from
cuts and abrasions.
Camp sizes vary according to
the size and number of birds,
ranging up to 30 x 70m for 20
young birds. A breeding pair
is kept in a camp of 10 x
20m.
The fencing is important.
Most breeders use diamond
mesh to a height of 2m. Be
careful to ensure that there
are no jagged edges or wire
knots on the inside of the
fence, as the birds walk along
the fence and could injure
themselves.
The plumage varies in colour
due to environmental factors,
giving the bird natural
camouflage. The juvenile
plumage develops at about
three months and is blackish,
finely barred with brown,
with the head and neck being
especially dark. The facial
feathers gradually thin to
expose a bluish skin. The
adult plumage has developed
by about 15 months.
Although they are hardy,
emus are vulnerable to
Emus with a clutch of eggs
38
www.sasmallholder.co.za
internal and external parasites. They have been affected
by avian influenza in other
parts of the world but there
have been no reports of
infections in South Africa,
while their ratite cousins the
ostriches have been casualties.
As with any livestock, emus
need to be carefully monitored so that any health
condition can be identified
early.