While ostrich farming is more common than emu farming, both birds are becoming more widespread as a source of sustainable farm income. The ostrich and the emu are members of the Ratite family. The ostrich is the largest bird in the world and can weigh up to 400 pounds. The emu is the second largest bird and weighs in at around 140 pounds. Ostrich eggs take approximately 42 days to hatch. Emu eggs take 50 days.

As you read information about ostriches and gather emus information to decide if you want to go into the business, consider that emu producers and ostrich producers both consider their birds as a longterm commitment. While there isn’t much difference between emu and ostrich care, both types of birds take a lot of attention. If you decide you want to invest in the birds, you should consider if you want to:

1. Concentrate on re-selling your young ostriches and emus as breeding stock.

2. Sell your ostriches and emus as meat.

3. Sell the hides from your ostriches and emus.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get started ostrich farming

You can either buy fertilized eggs or buy a young breeding pair of ostriches. Either way, you can get your ostrich herd started. While choosing eggs is the cheaper method, it does take about two years for an ostrich to grow enough to produce its own eggs.

I recommend: Wild Canyon Ostrich Ranch sells fertilized eggs. Ostriches On Line has a calculator to help you determine how much investment you would need for breeding stock. They also offer African Black domesticated ostriches for sale. AgriSeek has a marketplace where sellers from around the world list breeding eggs.

Gather emus information before your begin your emu farm

Make sure you have the proper equipment and enough space before you purchase emus. Also know that you must care for the birds daily once they hatch.

I recommend: Wilderness Emu Ranch has fertilized eggs, as well as young emu pairs available for sale. Red Oak Farm offers emu livestock for sale.

Join other ostrich growers and emu growers in promoting ostriches and emus

Both birds have their own trade organizations, and both groups actively promote the use of Ratites for breeding stock, meat and hides. The groups also develop secondary products to market, such as ostrich feathers and emu oil.

I recommend: Join the American Ostrich Association. This professional group of ostrich growers promotes ostrich meat as well as ostrich leather products. The American Emu Association can help you promote your emu business, as well as provide you with timely emu farm training.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you think about raising ostriches and emus as a source of income, you also need to figure in the cost of the land. For each bird you raise, you should also calculate the cost of food, water, feeding troughs, fencing and labor. Veterinary expenses and licensing fees are also part of the expense of raising ostriches and emus.