How to Sell Emus

Emu birds, relatives of the ostrich, are a hardy, profitable alternative livestock. They can adapt to all kinds of climates and terrain, and their feed is cheap. Since the market for emus is relatively new, the current trend is selling breeding pairs to other ranchers. But slaughter is a moneymaker as well, with an increasing demand for the emu's lean red meat, oil and leather. Read on to learn how to sell emus.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Do your research. Write a detailed business plan. See the Resources section below for a link to an example. Decide the size and location of your ranch. Start-up costs vary depending on these factors. Check current annual expenses for feed and maintenance of animals and facilities. Know the current selling prices of emus and their products.
2. Produce a top-notch crop of birds. The quality of your breeders is important. When buying your own livestock, check the breeding history of parent birds. This increases your chances of securing high-yielding birds that produce quality livestock.
3. Join an association for emu ranchers. The American Emu Association offers benefits like advertising and networking information to members, plus potential buyers are assured a quality product, since most associations have quality standards for livestock.
4. Advertise: Put up signs. Get a website. Research and send brochures to companies who buy emu products.
5. Capitalize on peoples' curiosity about your birds. Consider public relations events to get your name out there: offers tours of your farm once a week. Make T-shirts, post cards or bumper stickers available with your farm's logo on them.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase high quality feed. You get healthier birds, and spending a little extra now increases your profit later.

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