Sidhu Emu Farm & Hatchery

Out here on Hamidi Road in Wazidke Khurd, things move a bit slower than in the city. We have the emu farm and the hatchery set up on a decent bit of land. The birds are quite something to watch, always curious and making those deep drumming sounds. Most of our morning is spent checking the fences and making sure everyone is fed and has water. The hatchery part needs a bit more attention, especially with the temperatures and keeping everything clean. It is a lot of physical work, walking back and forth across the yard. The dust from the road blows in during the dry months, and the mud gets thick when it rains. We usually wear old boots that stay by the door. It's a family-run kind of thing, so even the kids know their way around the pens. We don't have a big staff, just a few local guys who help with the heavy lifting and the cleaning. Some people stop by out of curiosity just to see the emus since you don't see them everywhere. We spend a lot of time outdoors, so we are always checking the sky for rain. It is a different kind of life compared to a factory, but it keeps us on our feet. The evenings are quiet once the birds settle down and we can finally sit on the porch for a bit. It’s hard work, but we like being out in the fresh air away from all the noise of the town.