Avenue Emus near Lucindale: Ron studies these remarkable creatures on the Limestone Coast in the South East region of South Australia
Thousands of years of isolation and evolution have conspired to a create a remarkable creature - the emu. Over the years, the Postcards crew has encountered these amazing creatures in the most amazing settings from the sand dunes of the Nullarbor to the arid lands of the Flinders Ranges.
For many on the land the emu, the feathered half on the Australian Coat of Arms, has often been seen as a serial pest tramping on crops and causing havoc to fencing. But spend a little time with these skittish creatures at Avenue Emus near Lucindale, 150 kilometres southeast of Adelaide, and they begin to grow on you.
Julie Thomas, Avenue Emus: "When we started the farm we purchased 100 month old chicks and then about six months later we purchased a couple of adult breeding birds and started from there."
Now Julie Thomas and husband Neville have about 80 breeders who regularly produce up to 150 chicks a year. They're certainly cute when first hatched but whether you'd describe them as cute when fully grown is another matter. But as one of the world's largest flightless birds - this animal is certainly unique.
Julie and her husband swapped sheep for emus back in the late nineties. While it hasn't all been plain sailing, Julie has gradually sourced markets for the wide range of products on display in their showroom. Over the years she's come to appreciate many of the unique features of a fascinating bird which certainly does not conform to the norms of the animal kingdom.
Julie Thomas, Avenue Emus: "The female picks the male, she has all the say. If she doesn't like the male she'll chase him off. And then she will lay the eggs but once the eggs are laid it's up to the male to look after them. He will cover and hide them from predators and once there are enough eggs on the ground it's his job to sit on the eggs and look after them."
Julie Thomas, Avenue Emus: "Why are they on Australia's Coat of Arms? Apparently the emu and the kangaroo are the two creatures that can't walk backwards. So Australia as a young nation is moving forward - the emu and the kangaroo can only walk forwards so that's part of the reason they were chosen for the Coat of Arms."
It doesn't pay to grow too attached. After all this is an Emu Farm and the farm gate products include emu mettwurst and emu steaks.
"Emu meat has virtually no fat in it whatsoever. It has .03 percent cholesterol and is very high in iron."
Julie has a range of products on sale at the Avenue Emus. The farm is located on Thomas Road about 12 kilometres from the main township of Avenue. You can contact Julie Thomas on 8766 0085. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Avenue Emus
Thomas Road
12 kms from Avenue
Contact 8766 0085Published 23rd May 2010
