How to Hatch Emu Eggs
Temperature, humidity, turning, and timeline for a successful hatch.
Hatching emu eggs takes patience and steady conditions, but the basics are simple. Keep the temperature at 97 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit, hold humidity around 30 to 40 percent, turn the eggs at least three times a day, and wait about 50 to 55 days. Get those four things right and you give your eggs a real chance.
The Four Keys
1. Temperature
Set your incubator to 97 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Steady is better than perfect. A swing of a degree now and then is fine, but long periods too hot or too cold hurt the hatch.
2. Humidity
Aim for 30 to 40 percent relative humidity through most of incubation. Emu eggs need to lose a bit of moisture over time so the air cell grows correctly.
3. Turning
Turn the eggs at least three times a day, an odd number so they rest on different sides overnight. An automatic turner makes this easy.
4. Time
Expect hatching at 50 to 55 days. In the last 3 days, stop turning and let the chick get into position. This is called lockdown.
When Eggs Arrive
Let shipped eggs rest pointy end down for 12 to 24 hours before setting them, so the air cell settles after the trip. Candle at around day 10 to check for development. Keep good notes on temperature and humidity so you can adjust. And remember, even experienced hatchers do not get every egg, so set a few to improve your odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
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