Sexing Adult Emus

[MarissaC]

Hi everyone!
So, I'm getting 9 adult emus this week that are around 8 years old. The guy we're buying them from knows virtually nothing about them (he recently inherited them and doesn't want them), so needless to say...he doesn't know how many males or females there are. It's obvious that one is a male because he's sitting on eggs. The other 8 are unknown!

Any tips/advice/videos/pictures on sexing emus? My husband has helped restrain emus for his uncle when they needed sex, but my hubby has never done the sexing himself.

 

[Tame Emu Guy]

Hi, Marissa.

I confess I'm looking forward to this!

One: if Money, check old posts, you can get DNA-sexing done from feathers.

Two: hit the Net, and wade through the billionty #^*@(**!! contradictory articles there.

Three: (this is the one I'm hoping for . . . ) Enlist the support of Capable Persons, and

(a) catch each emu in a gentle way
(b) invert emu
(c) implement Emu Weenie Eversion Procedure (You think I'm joking, don't you!)
(d) report to us, please



Supreme Emu

P.s.: there is also a 'semi-option': patient observation will eventually tell you which birds are the females. It's a frustrating process of elimination. The noises that emus make 'overlap.' However, you will eventually see a bird kneel, do a 'swan-neck imitation,' and emit an unmistakable series of 'booms.' She's female. Beyond that -- though room to roam is pivotal here -- the bird that hangs out permanently with a known female is a male.

 

[MarissaC]

Hi, Marissa.

I confess I'm looking forward to this!

One: if Money, check old posts, you can get DNA-sexing done from feathers.

Two: hit the Net, and wade through the billionty #^*@(**!! contradictory articles there.

Three: (this is the one I'm hoping for . . . ) Enlist the support of Capable Persons, and

(a) catch each emu in a gentle way
(b) invert emu
(c) implement Emu Weenie Eversion Procedure (You think I'm joking, don't you!)
(d) report to us, please



Supreme Emu

P.s.: there is also a 'semi-option': patient observation will eventually tell you which birds are the females. It's a frustrating process of elimination. The noises that emus make 'overlap.' However, you will eventually see a bird kneel, do a 'swan-neck imitation,' and emit an unmistakable series of 'booms.' She's female. Beyond that -- though room to roam is pivotal here -- the bird that hangs out permanently with a known female is a male.

HAHA! I love your response! I couldn't stop laughing at "Emu Weenie Eversion Procedure". I was trying to tell that to my husband, but could barely get the words out.
I'll be getting my husband and our landlord's son (who is about to go into school to be a vet, yay) over here to see what we can...evert!
I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures or at least a lengthy blog about this upcoming experience. Time to get on my stretchy gloves!

 

[Aeropennchick]

Oh good luck!! I visited someone who had emus, and in the short time I was there, several of them made the boom noises. I think it may be easier than you anticipate - you may know within a few hours just from watching them!

 

[chickenzoo]

Females also have more of a ruff of feathers on their lower neck, which they often swing about, like those that go bra less..... Lol.

 

[MarissaC]

Females also have more of a ruff of feathers on their lower neck, which they often swing about, like those that go bra less..... Lol.

Oh my! Haha, that'll be easy to remember now.