What Care Goes Into Emus? (Pics of your Emus too)

[riss]

So I didn't even realize people owned these nor do I exactly know what they are. Curious what there is to know about them and would love to see pictures of your emus

 

[briefvisit]

'nor do I exactly know what they are.'

Emus are a giant flightless bird. Not domesticated. They are a member of the 'ratite' family, which has five members (and some interesting extinct characters): emu, rhea, ostrich, cassowary, and kiwi.

They are, in the sense of 'having a couple for your menagerie,' a different kettle of fish. They are large and can live twenty years. Veterinary care for them, and food, and transport, are all expensive. They need a lot of room in a pen of a particular type.

The stories about them being vicious are about 99.9% untrue -- unless you back one into a corner, and try to stuff it into a sack. They're nice people, silly and inquisitive. But both in the wild and captivity, they squabble endlessly and violently among themselves. It's a difficulty: Emooo Life normally plays out on a whole continent. So having it happen in an enclosure can spark all manner of problems.

The breeders here will explain overall captive-emu nutrition. But as treats, they luuurv fruit: plums, apricots, apple, grapes.

This is a photo of the legendary Eric, with Alpha or Omega. The chick has discovered some wheat left in the barrow, and is scoffing it up.

 

[jiloski]

So I didn't even realize people owned these nor do I exactly know what they are. Curious what there is to know about them and would love to see pictures of your emus

So these little ones just hatched out this morning...we named the one on the right Marley but no name yet for the one on the left

 

[Kennas_Kritters]

My 2 emus Blu and Echo say hello! Emu's are one of the most amazing animals I have ever owned and I have owned lots! Emu's love water. They roll in water like a pig rolls in mud lol. I spray mine with a water hose and they LOVE it! They run around our 5 acres and start hopping, dancing and slinging their heads around. They are truly amazing and goofy animals. I am 6 foot and my emus are almost my height at just a year old! They are super fast and they have super strong legs like a cow. 1 emu egg is equivalent to 12 chicken eggs! They are gentle giants. I could go on and on about emu facts lol.

 

[jiloski]

My 2 emus Blu and Echo say hello! Emu's are one of the most amazing animals I have ever owned and I have owned lots! Emu's love water. They roll in water like a pig rolls in mud lol. I spray mine with a water hose and they LOVE it! They run around our 5 acres and start hopping, dancing and slinging their heads around. They are truly amazing and goofy animals. I am 6 foot and my emus are almost my height at just a year old! They are super fast and they have super strong legs like a cow. 1 emu egg is equivalent to 12 chicken eggs! They are gentle giants. I could go on and on about emu facts lol.

Yes we're so amazed at just how cuddly & affectionate they are