Emu care?

[Narragansett]

These are some really nice pictures! Gerry is a cute name for an Emu. I would name an Emu Eddy or Nosferatu. If I get an Emu, I would have to get it in November.

Just out of curiosity, how old are you? Emus are cheap and readily available, but just because you can get one does not always mean that you should. It is still a committment. You keep talking about an emu, but they are social animals, and need companionship. Turkeys or geese will suffice if the emu is raised with them from a young age, but they need something. Keep in mind that people's interests and situations change. Emus are difficult to sell or even give away now. You can always put it in the freezer, but do you have a way to transport it as an adult, and is there a slaughter facility that can process an emu near you? What about veterinary care? You must vaccinate for eastern equine encephalitis. Emus are extremely sensative to it, and it is fatal in them. Can you do this? If not, can you pay a veterinarian, and is there one near you who treats emus? How will you restrain it when the vet comes? Is your fencing secure, or will you build it to be? Emus are very difficult to catch if they get loose. They cannot be herded. It's nice to be thinking about names or the best treats, but those are the last things that need to worry about at this point. There are other much more important things to consider.

 

[Tame Emu Guy]

Yes, these are good questions; and I look forward to hearing the answers.

Fowl King is fifteen: it’s in his community profile. If he gets the bird late next year, he'll be almost seventeen.

He seems to be in co-operation with his dad. They have a pasture, and they incubate/breed a variety of birds. It’s in his community profile.

Notwithstanding his enthusiasm for names and treats, he is doing his homework. His original post asks about care, feeding, fencing, and taming-techniques. The post is well written, and hasn’t a single spelling error.

Supreme Emu

 

[FowlKing]

I've actually done most of my research before posting, we have been raising birds for 8 years and no diseases have ever happened, the West Nile Virus is not in our area and I will probably be able to find a vaccine for EEE. I have done research on this disease.

 

[FowlKing]

Thank you for the support. We have been raising chickens, bantam ducks, and various pheasants for years. We also have 3 peafowl that we bought this year, 1 peacock and 2 peahens.

 

[chickenzoo]

Yes, he was asking for advice and gathering information ahead of time, which I respect.
keeping an emu is often very similar to a horse in the form of space needed, grains and grass, worming and vaccinations ans life span. Most Tsc will have a EWE tetanus shot. Vets that will treat an emu can be difficult to find, as with most exotics. Often your state university vet dept if no private vet can be found. Luckily emu are pretty hardy if you keep them from in jesting bad things...as they will try and eat anything they shouldnt. Like nails...screws.....plastic
...

 

[FowlKing]

Yes/no – you understand it’s a commitment (have you demonstrated the ability to fulfil a commitment? Perhaps with other pets?) Yes, I have been taking care of birds for 8 years. I always feed and give water to my birds and my hedgehog. I own chickens, bantam ducks, 1 peacock, 2 peahens, and ornamental pheasants.
Yes/no – can get more than one emu? Or a turkey? Or whatever? It’s a good point! Possibly, but he will be alone for a while.
Yes/no – have your interests changed? Do you have a steady character? (Really, it’s the commitment question again) No, I still want an Emu.
Yes/no – if necessary, my dad and I will butcher it, and eat. No, that is cruel and Emu wouldn't taste good, the only bird that I believe should be butchered are meat producer chickens.
Yes/no – do you live on a farm, that is, have you been there ages, and expect to stay? Yes, we have been here for decades.
Yes/no – another good question: is there money for inoculations? Yes, we can afford the EEE vaccine.
Yes/no – is there money for a vet? (vet money is more important than treat money. You can say that you now realise this.) Not sure, vet bills always vary depending on the situation.
Yes/no – is there an emu-specialist vet near you? Nope
Yes/no – can I restrain an emu? If you have raised it from a chick, yes, you will be able to. There is plenty of advice on BYC about transporting emus. Find the old thread, there are several, and quote the breeder who posted the info. Of course
Yes/no – yes, it will be. My first post notes, I think correctly, that a six-foot fence is necessary. I’m contemplating seven. It will be 6-8 feet tall, either cattle or chain link fencing.
Yes/no – will you be able to catch the emu if it escapes? Yes, if it can escape, because it will be very tame. Maybe, we'll make sure it never happens. We need to make sure the fence is secure enough.

I'm a live bird collector and hobbyist. I do research on various types of birds before getting them.

edited by staff to remove personal information

 

[FowlKing]

Ah, yes, I may also have to get wormer for them. Some say that you can put it in their food, but it depends on the wormer. What is the cheapest and most effective wormer for Emus?

 

[chickenzoo]

I rotate between horse Safeguard, ivomectrian or Valbazen. The Safeguard and Ivomec come in a paste syringe...so when the emu goes to grab the tip I inject it down their throat. You can buy the liquid for goats in Safeguard and put it in their water. Its not expensive.. I use it on all my birds.

 

[yinepu]

Yes/no – if necessary, my dad and I will butcher it, and eat. No, that is cruel and Emu wouldn't taste good, the only bird that I believe should be butchered are meat producer chickens.

Hate to break the news to you.. but emu is on the menu of several high end restaurants (along with ostrich). I've eaten emu and it's very good
One of the main reasons emus are available here in the states is because they are considered livestock and were being farmed for meat as an alternative to beef. Butchering an emu is no less cruel than butchering any other livestock or poultry (including all kinds of chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas, doves, pigeons, pheasants and quail). Keeping emus as pets is considered to be a fad by many people.. however I know there are many here who keep them as pets and also a few who raise them for meat.
Now you may not personally want to butcher or eat an emu and that's your choice. However many people do eat them.

 

[FowlKing]

Well, I wouldn't. The only type of bird meat that I eat is processed chicken meat like chicken nuggets, or pepperoni (it has chicken in it). I don't care what others eat, I only care about what I eat and what my birds eat.