Emu Farming - Honeypot - Part 2

Let's look into the 10 points mentioned in the previous post:

1. Emu's can lay 50 eggs per year.

Actually, to my knowledge, one in 100 pairs might be laying 50 eggs per year, or bird pair who has successfully laid for atleast 6 years, might reach this number provided they have adequate nutrition throughout their rearing. Average number is 20 eggs per pair.

2. Each Egg costs a minimum of Rs.1,500/-

Yes, it was. Last season, it was sold until Rs.1,000/-. Some desperate farmers sold their eggs at Rs.800/- too. There was a reason behind this for the trend. Emu Hatchery Owners who expected that there won't much sales as well as price for the Emu chicks this season, hence, they reduced the number of eggs in the hatchery. Hence, many hatchery owners stopped procuring. Therefore, the cost of eggs went down. This may not be true for future. The same egg was once sold for Rs.2,000/- also. However, please note that the production cost itself would be around Rs.600-700/- per egg.

3. The Farmer who sold the chick/bird will buy back the eggs, hence no Marketing issues.

This turns out to be an initial promise, and rarely some are still adhering to this promise. Mostly, they just ignore this. Selling eggs is a difficult part, if you don't have a proper understanding & commitment from the farmer whom you have procured the bird.

4. The feed cost is around Rs.3,000/- per year for a bird. Farmer who sold the birds will provide regularly the "specially & custom-made" feed to you.

Feed cost is not fixed at all, of course, it depends on the agricultural produce, which are highly weather-dependent. For a small farmer, who owns a 10-pair farm, cannot prepare his own feed, unless he does it full-time and has other agricultural activities. If he decides to prepare the feed himself, (feed formula is available), the feed cost would be around Rs.12/- per Kg. The additional efforts which he put to make this feed is not costed into. Alternatively, you can buy it from Feed Manufacturers like SKM, at a cost of Rs.17.50/- Kg. Just imagine, you will save 5.50/Kg. If you have 10 pairs, your per day savings will be Rs.55/- a day. Per month, it would be around Rs.1,650/-. So, if you are the owner and you are going to prepare this feed for your 10 pair farm, it is wiser. If you are going to engage someone for the same farm & feed, it is not wiser. Clear...??? When your farm is enlarged enough, you can engage your own men to do that. The owner supplying the feed is most of the times ends up in trouble. Some, unable to match the varying cost of feed, failed to add some important additives, or changing to a cheaper alternative. The feed quality is affected. But, if you are buying from a Branded manufacturer, you can ensure this.

5. No diseases;

Diseases do affect them. Worming & Ranichet are the common disease; which are easily curable if treated on time and with appropriate guidance. Stress & Laceration wounds are other common issues in Emus. Be prepared for them.

6. No Climate issues;

This is true. However, during mating season, it needs some warmer temperature inside the covered space. Otherwise, it can live anywhere (I haven't seen any picture they are roaming in ice lands).

7. Just a fencing at a cost of Rs.15,000/- will do;

Proper fencing for each pair would cost more than that. But, if you are going to let them in the same place, it would cost the same.

8. virtually NO MAINTENANCE at all.


If you don't look at them on a daily basis, you might lose some of the indications, which would tell you about the oncoming problems/diseases. Moreover, they need regular water and feed on a daily basis. Feed them twice a day, and keep filling the water pot, as and when they finishes them.


9. As per the financial projections, you will make a minimum of Rs.50,000/- per year per pair. If you have 10 pairs, you make Rs.5,00,000/-, which is more than a IT professional earns in a year.


I am not going to comment on this. My only advice is that do not take it as your full-time sole job, since this is a seasonal business. Rest of the season, virtually you don't have anything to do.

10. All kinds of guidance, regular farm visits will be provided by the farmer.

Unless you are signed up for Contract Farming, you will get first one or two "pampering" visits. That's it.

I look for your comments, if you have any.