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They like people have different temperments. The younger you get them the more attached to you they seem to become.Harness train them early so you have a way to get a hold of them Our female is the friendliest, she comes over and gives me Emu hugs with her neck, loves to be petted and scratched, in to everything etc. Our male is not mean, just doesn't love to be handled. He will follow you around, play with my hair, watch and get into everything I'm doing but just doesn't like to be scratched or held on too. He was older when we got him, like 1-2 months old. Like any bird they are attracted to anything shiny, colorful, moving etc. but are much bigger and have bigger beaks, LOL. We have to watch our ears because sometimes the Emu just can't control themselves, Ha Ha. We had them follow us outside when they were little and exposed them to our flock, peafowl, turkey, horses and potbellies etc. They remember the peafowl picking on them and will run from them even now that they tower over them. They get along with all our animals, but all our animals seem very tolerant of them. Our horses don't mind them playing with their hair, picking stuff off them etc. They are very curious birds, so I would keep them away from any animal with an aggressive side. They will chase and strike dogs with their feet that they do not know, heck they still do it to our shepherds but do it in a more playful way. They love the water and like to lay in it to cool off. Their feathers are very thick and collect a lot of heat. Our fences are a mix of privacy fence and horse fence aprox 4 feet on the horse fence. If they are raised seeing that as a barrier, then that should be fine as long as it has no give over the top that they can shimmy over. I'm sure mine could leap it with no problem, but they see it as a barrier. I only worry if they chase something that jumps the fence they could follow. I was told that they would only walk the fence line by the breeder but mine seem to roam all over. I think it depends on if they have things to stimulate them. Mine are always laying down with one of my other animals in the yard or seeing what type of trouble they can get in. They do need some room to run, and it is so funny watching them. They leap in the air, fall down on the ground , stand up again and take off- it's hilarious. My nephews who are 1/2 their size would chase them around the yard and then the emu would chase them, and at the last moment fall on the ground on their chest, bounce up and take off the other way, too funny. Mine like people, no problems there, I raised them in the house. They make a hissing noise, but it means many things from "whats that" to "hello". The females make a rumble in their chest during breeding season, other than that they are quiet. Their main defense is stomping, and you should introduce any new animal to them in a seperate pen for a few days. Once they know they belong there they will defend them, but still give the occasional chase when excited.
Now I've told you the good here is some of the bad: People are often scared of them, they think they are dinosaurs or something. Educate your neighbors so just encase one gets loose no guns are drawn.
They are curious birds and anything shiny, colorful, moving or new will get their attention.
As babies their poo stinks! And as adults it looks like Hersey's kisses all over the yard, Ha HA
They have very sharp claws and use their feet to defend them selves as well as kicking like a mule.
They eat emu pellets, like horse feed and chicken food also. Often it is hard to find emu food.
It is hard to find Vets that know about them
You have to give them shots like horses, Westnile & EE&WEE if it is a problem in your area
Giving emu's shots is not always easy
You worm them like most fowl, but not as much
They try to eat nails, shiny things, little critters, and anything you are eating
They can jump and can run 45 miles an hour
They don't always come when called
Some family members will stop coming over, ....oh wait..maybe that should be in the good things, LOL
