Emu baby chronicles :) NEW PIC pg 31!!

[newchickowner]

I want one too! But I don't know if I want to risk it because of a huge pack of coyotes that lives all around me. They are good predator control, but a whole pack of coyotes? I don't know about that.

I do know that they are great for keeping a grasshopper population well under control.

 

[Moonwalker]

To Chicken Thief
If an emu comes towards you with his head level/relaxed he is curious. If they have their heads erect, raised straight up, that is showing agression. If they come at you like that, raise your arm up in the air (with your hand crooked to resemble an emus neck/head) making your "head" higher than theirs. You are now the biggest emu in the pen and they will back off. The EXCEPTION to this is if they are protecting a nest! In that case all bets are off and if you must get near them a metal trashcan lid is a nice thing to have. You hold it low, to cover your belly and leg area. (they rarely attack with beaks, mostly kicking to disembowel)
I know this sounds horrible, but it is a ggod thing to know what an animal is capable of. Our emus are not exactly pets, but will eat out of my hand and sometimes they will stand to be petted and scratched and will beg if they see you with a hose in hot weather! I have had to corner a wrestle them back into their pen when they got loose once and they are strong for their size. I had to tackle one and he carried me for about 100 ft (my feet were off the ground and I weigh about 175!) before he gave up and sat down. You can wrangle them by walking beside them and putting one hand around the chest and the other under the tail. If you are tall, it's hard on your back, but it works to move them. An alternative is to loop a rope around the neck, holding both ends, instead the arm around the neck. This is much more comfortable for taller people.

Suzi

 

[WriterofWords]

Suzi how tall do they get?

 

[Moonwalker]

Ours are about feet at the back. When they raise their heads fully they are almost on eye level with me and I'm 5'6". They normally carry their heads the way they are in the pic I posted.

Suzi

 

[WriterofWords]

Thank you!

 

[Basia]

So much information! I love this forum...
and the COOLEST people with the most unusual pets!
I want another pic of baby emu.

 

[Moonwalker]

You want a pic of baby emu? I want BABY EMU!!! They are SO adorable!But for now, I'll have to stick with the chickens. On the bright side, one of the goats at work is due anytime now and we think she's having trips!

 

[Henrietta23]

Quote:
OMG she's HUGE! Keep us posted.

 

[Bawkadoodledoo]

little emu on his feet yet?

 

[ruth]

What neat pics and a cute baby. "Baby It" is going to get VERY big. Will be fun to watch it grow - keep posting pics.