Emu!

There is a local fruit and vegetable stand just outside of town that also raises Emu's. We go there quite often for cucumbers, zucchini, corn on the cob and other things. We stopped for corn the other day and took some pictures while we were there.

Hello There!!!

Isn't she cute?

The Emu is the largest bird native to Australia. It is also the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its relative, the ostrich. The soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds reach up to 6 ft. in height. Emus can travel great distances at a fast, economical trot and, if necessary, can sprint at 30 mph. They feed on a variety of plants and insects.

We believe all of the pictures above are females.

We think this one is a male. He was kept separate from the others.

Emus are farmed for their meat, oil and leather. Emu fat is rendered to produce oil for cosmetics, dietary supplements and therapeutic products. There is some evidence that the oil has anti-inflammatory properties. However, the US Food and Drug Administration regards pure emu oil product as an unapproved drug. Emu leather has a distinctive patterned surface, due to a raised area around the feather follicles in the skin. The leather is used in such small items as wallets and shoes, often in combination with other leathers. The feathers and eggs are used in decorative arts and crafts.

The eggs are on average 5.3 x 3.5 inches and weigh between 1.5–2 pounds, which is roughly equivalent to 10–12 chicken eggs in volume and weight.