Our emu eggs are seasonal delicacies and ordering is going to be as the eggs are being laid. Reach out to us if you’re interested in being a part of a wait list for these unique farm products.
Here, at our farm, we are raising emus mostly for their eggs and for their chicks. Our emus are a local attraction, as they are an unusual sight in the Colorado landscape. Breeding emus is quite the adventure and starts in May or June after these quirky birds reach sexual maturity, which is usually around 18–24 months. Pairing begins with emus forming pairs in the summer and fall, with winter being their mating season. Watch out for the females—they may engage in some feathery combat to win over a mate! Both males and females indulge in a charming display of drumming and strutting to catch each other’s attention. The male then takes on the role of the nest architect, crafting a cozy ground nest with twigs, leaves, and grass. The female lays 5–24 large, dark teal eggs, over several days. After the last egg is laid, the male becomes the devoted incubator, sitting on the nest for 8–10 weeks, turning the eggs, and being the devoted father he is. The female, meanwhile, considers her job done and leaves the nest, leaving the male to care for the chicks for the first couple of years.
Emu eggs are not just gigantic but also packed with rich, creamy goodness, making them a culinary delight. These eggs, comparable in size to a dozen chicken eggs, are perfect for omelets, scrambled eggs, and even frittatas. They are light and fluffy, with a hard-boiling time of over an hour! Their multi-layered shells, are often used in crafts, adding an artistic twist to their many ways of use. Nutritionally, emu eggs boast a higher content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats compared to chicken eggs, with 68% unsaturated fats and all eight essential amino acids. The yolk, which makes up about 45% of the egg, is paler than a chicken’s egg. An emu egg is about 670 calories per egg. So, if you’ve ever wanted to feel like a culinary giant, cracking an emu egg might just be your next best adventure!
Raising emus comes with its set of challenges, mainly revolving around their curious nature and tendency for pecking at anything that catches their eye. These birds are notorious for nibbling on extension cords, shiny objects, and pretty much anything that glints, including your jewelry and even eyes! This behavior, often termed as “hardware disease,” can be challenging, so out-thinking these inquisitive birds is crucial. Handling adult emus also requires a certain finesse; they must be caught from behind to avoid their powerful kicks. Providing them with a quality feed formulated specifically for emus, with a low fiber content (preferably under 5%), is essential for their health. While they can be a handful, understanding and catering to their unique needs makes raising emus a rewarding experience, not to mention the bragging rights of saying we have an emu or two in our backyard!