I found an emu breeder within a reasonable distance, and am seriously considering getting a chick to raise as a pet. I'm doing my homework but am seeing conflicting information from emu farms v. pet people, mainly in regards to housing and other animal interaction. So - here's my situation, tell me where you see red flags...
The bird will be about a week old, incubator raised when I get it. It'll be brooded in the house so will have lots of human interaction, plus will see the dogs/cats/etc. It'll be handled and taken places for exposure since one day - possibly - it could visit 4H petting zoos (that part is a grey area...).
Once big enough to move outside, I have a few options. We're outdoorsey people and are often tending the animals or working around the property, so it'd still get plenty of attention.
Our yard is about an acre and is fully fenced with 4' high, 4x4" woven wire except for a small section up front where it's 3' pickett. There's trees for shade and the underside of the deck for shelter. Ideally I'd like it to free range in the yard - where the border collies go potty and run. The breed of chickens that I have do not come back to the roost at night so are penned, but the ducks do occasionally get to wander about.
The dogs will be managed not to bother the emu, but not sure if the emu would bother the dogs if its raised with them. Also not sure if the fence height is an issue - will they jump just for the fun of it, or if scared? If scared, will they run until they feel safe or find a hiding space, or will they keep going for a mile? The yard is probably 200+' deep, 150' wide.
Option B is less attractive - I have two small paddocks for the goats, again with the 4' woven wire. Each paddock is about 30x50' with run in sheds/barns for shelter, but not nearly the room as the back yard... and obviously contain goats.
Diet/attention/deworming/vaccinations/etc I'm ok with, but its the housing (fence height and dogs) that I'm waffling about. Its supposed to be winter here in PA, and usually the weather stays pretty chilly until April - so the bird would be about 4 months old before it would really get to explore the yard.
The bird will be about a week old, incubator raised when I get it. It'll be brooded in the house so will have lots of human interaction, plus will see the dogs/cats/etc. It'll be handled and taken places for exposure since one day - possibly - it could visit 4H petting zoos (that part is a grey area...).
Once big enough to move outside, I have a few options. We're outdoorsey people and are often tending the animals or working around the property, so it'd still get plenty of attention.
Our yard is about an acre and is fully fenced with 4' high, 4x4" woven wire except for a small section up front where it's 3' pickett. There's trees for shade and the underside of the deck for shelter. Ideally I'd like it to free range in the yard - where the border collies go potty and run. The breed of chickens that I have do not come back to the roost at night so are penned, but the ducks do occasionally get to wander about.
The dogs will be managed not to bother the emu, but not sure if the emu would bother the dogs if its raised with them. Also not sure if the fence height is an issue - will they jump just for the fun of it, or if scared? If scared, will they run until they feel safe or find a hiding space, or will they keep going for a mile? The yard is probably 200+' deep, 150' wide.
Option B is less attractive - I have two small paddocks for the goats, again with the 4' woven wire. Each paddock is about 30x50' with run in sheds/barns for shelter, but not nearly the room as the back yard... and obviously contain goats.
Diet/attention/deworming/vaccinations/etc I'm ok with, but its the housing (fence height and dogs) that I'm waffling about. Its supposed to be winter here in PA, and usually the weather stays pretty chilly until April - so the bird would be about 4 months old before it would really get to explore the yard.
