THE first ever emu chicks to be born at Birdland in the Cotswold village of Bourton have hatched safely to the delight of keepers.

The chicks are thought to be the first ones ever at the Birdland attraction, but there are more eggs ready to hatch.

It's just 10 months since the emus arrived at the park so staff were extremely pleased the birds were comfortable enough to produce fertile eggs already.

Alistair Keen, head keeper said: "We are extremely pleased to see the first of the emu chicks hatch and looking healthy.

"We didn’t expect to have eggs or chicks from the emus this early on, so it is very promising sign that the adults are happy in their environment."

It is the male who looks after the eggs and the young, rather than the female and Birdland’s male emu has been displaying and performing the nesting ritual.

The first eggs were removed as a cautionary measure until keepers know more about the personality of the emus. The two females and one male are quite large and there is a risk of the eggs being destroyed by their strong legs.

Mr Keen added: "This is the first time that we have ever had an emu egg hatch at Birdland, so I have been doing lots of research into raising emu chicks."