3 week old emu chick won't stand

[Newemumama]

Hi everyone, a friend dropped off a emu chick last week and it seems to have some problems standing. I have been reading up on this type of bird and it seem it should be running and playing by now.
It eats and drinks, but when it comes to standing it like a new born horse shaking and stumbles. It lays down most of the time and then falls asleep.
Any ideas?

 

[Kiki]

Welcome.
I know zero about emus but am wondering if some vitamins may help?

What do you feed it?

 

[Newemumama]

Welcome.
I know zero about emus but am wondering if some vitamins may help?

What do you feed it?

A lady at our feed store told me chick crumble, and veggies, fruit, seeds. I will have to look into vitamins.
Thank you

 

[Kiki]

A lady at our feed store told me chick crumble, and veggies, fruit, seeds. I will have to look into vitamins.
Thank you

Let me see if I can tag a few people that are online RIGHT now.
BRB

 

[Kiki]

@casportpony @Pyxis @ChickenCanoe

 

[casportpony]

Hi everyone, a friend dropped off a emu chick last week and it seems to have some problems standing. I have been reading up on this type of bird and it seem it should be running and playing by now.
It eats and drinks, but when it comes to standing it like a new born horse shaking and stumbles. It lays down most of the time and then falls asleep.
Any ideas?

Welcome to BYC! I know nothing about the nutrional requirements emus, but I suspect that chicken chick feed might not be the best for it. Is there any chance you can get it in to see a vet?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

How old is the chick? It probably needs much more protein than the chick starter ration.
Up till about 2 months of age they need 25% protein. Perhaps feed it some mealworms or crickets.
Nutri-Drench is a great vitamin, mineral and amino acid supplement.

 

[casportpony]

Call Mazuri and ask them what you should be feeding:
http://www.mazuri.com/mazuriratitestarter.aspx

 

[Kiki]

Call Mazuri and ask them what you should be feeding:
http://www.mazuri.com/mazuriratitestarter.aspx

http://www.mazuri.com/product_pdfs/5M32.pdf

Looks like emus need grit too!

 

[casportpony]

Wow, this PDF suggests they need a lot of niacin, as in *way* more than any chick or duck starter will have. This starter has niacin at 104 ppm, whereas a Purina duck starter only has 55 ppm, and their chick starter will be even less than that.
https://www.mazuri.com/product_pdfs/5M32.pdf