Three little emu chicks hatch at Borders bird centre

A bird centre in the Borders is welcoming the arrival of three little emu chicks to a first-time dad.

After laying her eggs the female leaves the rearing to the male and the chick’s father had already lost a number of batches due to bad weather, which is why he was given a helping hand.

Staff at the Bird Gardens said: “Three or four days before hatching we began to hear them, and as they were cheeping and whistling we returned the eggs to his nest, and his behaviour just changed immediately, and he was just spot-on and hatched them.

“So we’re delighted for him and he’s enjoying fatherhood, with three chicks, and the team of emus we have are collaborating on rearing the emus and teaching them, which is really interesting to observe.”