Heart of Minnesota Emu Ranch
Founded in 1994, the Ranch has developed into a vertically integrated business with worldwide product distribution from this Nevis location. From its start with only two small huts, 1200 sq ft residence with 1 incubator, 2 adult birds and 4 chicks; this Ranch has grown to five barns, 4 breeder huts, a medical isolation area, a 900 sq ft incubation facility with 7 computerized incubators, a hatchery, 55 breeder pairs representing 41 distinct genetic bloodlines, 14 experimental breeder groups, over 400 grower birds from 1 month old to 4 years and new hatch-lings on the way. Each bird is micro-chipped for positive identification.But the Ranch is into more than just raising birds. It was founded as a research facility. It participated in the genetic research study conducted by the University of Minnesota and Penn State University to discover the causes of San Filippo disorder which is always fatal in humans and which only the emu replicates. And which Dr Chet Whitley discovered the genetic defect and from which he developed a cure. The Ranch has worked with the Minnesota Zoo and the University of Minnesota's Raptor Research and Rehabilitation Center in solving the bumblefoot disorder which resulted in forced euthanasia of raptors unable to stop deterioration of the feet. The Ranch has participated in several emu feed program studies and it has conducted a 5 yr growth study aimed at increasing the beneficial properties obtained from the emu and improving its life and growth pattern.
The Ranch is also relied upon by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for emu related investigations and by local law enforcement for "birds on the loose" and mistreated bird situations; and for the rescue of birds of prey like hawks and eagles. The Ranch has rescued and recovered over 80 injured and/or abused or neglected birds over the years and provided full rehabilitation.
Since 1996, the Ranch opened much of its operations to public visitation and in 1997 it began regular guided tours of the Nevis facility. Since opening to tours, the Ranch has hosted over 14,000 visitors -- including schools, senior groups, retirement clubs, corporate retreat participants, nursing homes and many vacationing families. Often referred to as the "Best Kept Secret in Nevis" our "Walking with the Living Dinosaur" tours have received rave reviews from children and adults alike including an excellent rating by over 95% of visitors. Each tour is unique and custom designed to each group and age.
With the onset of many diseases prevalent in other species, the Ranch practices strong bio-security measures to protect the birds in its care. Depending on current conditions and disease location, visitors may be required to wash their hands and to wear foot coverings or wash shoes in foot bathes before entering the bird areas.
The Ranch is open between Memorial Day and Labor Day for tours by appointment. We receive large trucks regularly and the Ranch has parking for buses and RV's. And please don't miss our crazy Rheas from South America! Fuzz Ball, the White Rhea is an endangered species.
We are now hosts to British Cream Golden Retrievers. We have our breeding Dams: Freedom's Glory, Amazing Grace (Mazie), Black Forest Dream (Blackey), Princess & the males; Casper the White, Tonka Waukon, Lakota White Spirit, Rolling Thunder, and the rest.
We home you come to take the tour of this working Emu Ranch and come back often! The Minnesota Emu Ranch is the largest in the region-and the only fully integrated animal-to-product-to-sales operation in 9 states! We are open to educate and entertain visitors!
Yours Truly,
The Constans' (George & Pat), Aurora Clark (the Blinky), Justin Fischer (the emu herder), Shanna Mae Olsen (the eagle transporter), (the dogs); Glory, Mazie, Blackey, Casper, Lakota, Thunder, Princess & Tonka; (the cats); Prowler, Goldie, Cuddles (Mayhem), L.T.; (the Llamas); Walker, Dobbin, Devotion-Lalania and her new Cria (not on exhibition)- and all the birds!
