Feeding

Emus need balanced diet for their proper growth and reproduction. Based on the literature, certain nutrient requirements were suggested (Table 1 and 3). Feed can be prepared by using common poultry feed ingredients (Table 2). Feed alone accounts for 60-70% of the production cost, hence least cost rations will improve the margin of returns over feeding. In commercial farms, feed intake per emu breeding pair per annum varied from 394-632 kg with a mean of 527kg. Cost of feed was Rs.6.50 and 7.50 during non-breeding and breeding season respectively. Nutrient requirements suggested for Emu at different age groups Parameter Starter 10-14 week age or up to 10kg body weight Grower 15-34 wk age or10-25kg body weight Breeder Crude Protein% 20 18 20 Lysine % 1.0 0.8 0.9 Methionine% 0.45 0.4 0.40 Tryptophan % 0.17 0.15 0.18 Threonine % 0.50 0.48 0.60 Calcium % mini 1.5 1.5 2.50 Total phosphorus % 0.80 0.7 0.6 Sodium chloride % 0.40 0.3 0.4 Crude fiber (max) % 9 10 10 Vitamin A(IU/kg) 15000 8800 15000 Vitamin D 3 (ICU/kg) 4500 3300 4500 Vitamin E (IU/kg) 100 44 100 Vitamin B 12 (µ g/kg) 45 22 45 Choline (mg/kg) 2200 2200 2200 Copper (mg/kg) 30 33 30 Zinc (mg/kg) 110 110 110 Manganese (mg/kg) 150 154 150 Iodine (mg/kg) 1.1 1.1 1.1 Emu Feeds (kg/100kg) Ingredients Starter Grower Finisher Breeder Maintenance Maize 50 45 60 50 40 Soybean meal 30 25 20 25 25 DORB 10 16.25 16.15 15.50 16.30 Sunflower 6.15 10 0 0 15 Dicalcium phosphate 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Calcite powder 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Shell grit 0 0 0 6 0 Salt 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 Trace minerals 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Vitamins 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Cociodiostat 0.05 0.05 0.05 0 0 Methionine 0.25 0.15 0.25 0.25 0.15 Choline chloride 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05