food, worming and housing question

[luckyclucker]

I have an opportunity to get 2 emu from a man who can no longer keep them. They are young-- so young he doesn't yet know what gender they are. He hand feeds them, so says they are friendly. They live with his goats, cats, dogs.

My questions are: does anyone here keep emu with other birds? Geese, ducks, turkeys? What kind of wormer do people use, and how delivered (paste, powder, et cetera) and what is a good feed ratio?

 

[chickenzoo]

My adults and yearling are out in a pasture with horses, mini horses, mini cattle, llama & alpaca. My free range chickens, turkey and geese have access to it also but can get out of the emus way if need be. They don't use shelters for the most part, just a shady area. As babies I keep them separated but allow them to interact with the animals as i feed up and they follow me.
Wormer i use is Safeguard.... easier in Horse paste... dial in the weight... hold it up until the emu bites it and put it in their mouth... hehe. Can also use the goat wormer liquid.
I also vaccinate for EE & WEE, tetanus just like the horses as they can get it also. West nile if it is a problem in your area.
Feeding I give free choice, or about 1, 3quart scoop per bird or so along with free ranging.

 

[luckyclucker]

Thanks so much, this was exactly the information I was looking for!

 

[kathyinmo]

I also vaccinate for EE & WEE, tetanus just like the horses as they can get it also. West nile if it is a problem in your area.

What is EE & WEE ?

 

[halo]

Eastern and Western equine encephalitis.

 

[luckyclucker]

My emus arrive today. The guy who has them is driving them up here. He says they have always been outdoor birds even though they have access to two shelters. It gets cold here-- 18 this morning. Anybody have them in really cold weather like this? There is a large "goose pavilion" kind of like a carport with straw bales along 2 sides (west and south to keep off wind). I also have a barn with a large animal area in it. Should I try and herd them into the barn if it gets minus zero? They are coming from a place about 2 hours south of us. Still cold, but usually about 5 to 10 degrees warmer. He feeds them something called "4 way sweet feed"? Can they have as much alfalfa as they want?

 

[chickenzoo]

No advice for the cold, except I know many have them up north with no problems. If babies i would put them up, if adult or young adult they'd probably fine.If it got in the minus, I may put mine up if not for their welfare but for mine, lol. Typically they don't use shelters, mine will go in the barn with the horses and sometimes catch them laying in there... Offer it but don't expect them to use it. Feed wise I would give them something other then sweet feed. Mine get a mix of chicken layer or Flock raiser, horse pellets, sweet feed and dog food aswell as their free range ingestions. They make a emu chow also. As babies they get chick starter.... A balanced diet is important for them. They eat small mammals like lizards, as well as seeds and grasses so their protein intake needs to be considered......

 

[luckyclucker]

The are in one half of the field-- not a very interesting field, but large. I put them briefly in with my ducks, geese and roosters and they showed interest in chasing everyone. They are still skittish and I"ve taken my two Great Pyrs out into different pastures. Do they every slow down with the chasing of other smaller birds?

 

[chickenzoo]

They are not use to them...... when emu get excited they chase things. I do not pen my emu with anything until they have had the chance to see them for a few weeks. I never pen adult emu in with chickens etc.... but they all have freerange of the pasture and places to get away if the emus get excited. When raised as babies I will put emu in with larger ducks etc.. so they can get use to each other..... but if an emu has never seen your animals, I would avoid putting anyone together for awhile.

 

[The Sheriff]

Soon you will have this: