Cassowaries as ornamental birds

[Kelenken the terror bird]

What is care like for cassowaries in a captive setting

 

[briefvisit]

Sorry for the late reply.

So, somewhere in the archives you should find 'Acqua eyes'? I'm not sure of the name, but years ago there was a member here who had captive cassowaries.

But I can take a wild swing at this one. In one respect, their care is the same as for, say, an emu: secure fencing, learning the feed requirements of captive ratites, etc. I am Wild Emu Guy, so I know nothing about things like innoculation and licenses. You'll have to research this on line, or hope to find a good avian vet -- good luck with that!

 

[briefvisit]

The second aspect is the legendary orneriness of the cassowaries. It annoys me no end that ninnies post on the Net about 'dangerous' emus, how 'an emu attacked me.' Now, ostriches are mean and big; but cassowaries are legendarily aggressive. I was sitting in the garden at dawn, feeding sultanas to emu chicks while their Dad pecked up some wheat. How pleasant! But apparently going into your cassowary enclosure will require riot gear.

Supreme Emu, Lake Muir, Western Australia

 

[briefvisit]

So: it seems odd; but we rather often discourage folks from buying emus: it's a big big project. It's not cheap. They may live for twenty years or more.

But cassowaries? Times 5 difficulty and expense

 

[briefvisit]

What fun! A cassowary chick practising slash-kicks.

They are a very interesting species!!!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Am I correct in assuming these things can kill you by evisceration?