Raising emus

The tough emu is a three-toed bird with a long claw on each toe, and that's their weapon of choice.

"If they attack, or if they kick at you, it can do a lot of damage," Wilson says. "So for a predator, if you've got two or three of them ganging up on even one dog, they will kill the dog."

Emus aren't usually the best choice of creature to raise if you don't have any experience with livestock. But, the market for their meat is growing, as is the demand for emu oil for medicinal purposes, so there are more producers to turn to now for help. You can buy a two-month-old chick for about $75, or purchase a couple of breeders starting at $500 apiece.

If you want to raise a couple as pets, expect to have them a while. Emus can live 30 years or more!

Learn more:

Raising emus and ostriches: This USDA fact sheet offers guidelines for caring for the birds.

American Emu Association: Read more about raising emus, and marketing emu products.