Got My Emus! Pictures to follow soon! Need information on treats, etc

[haleyh-LHP]

Well, today was the big day! I had it planned for almost 2 weeks! I found a lady on the internet with baby emus. Needless to say, a few emails later and I was set to get my emus! I bought one and the other I traded for a peahen, goose, and a few ducks.
I woke up at 4 o' clock this morning, got around, hopped in the car, and drove two and a half hours to get to her house.

The emus are about a month old, I had this picture in my head of these little fluffy birds that weren't quite a foot tall, but man when I got there and saw them, I realized I was wrong! They're over a foot tall at a month old!
I was in love

She had everything at her house, I was so envious. She even tried to sell me a black swan cygnet! Even though I didn't want to, I had to pass, because I dont have the money right now. I told her she'd see me again soon

My emus are chatty little buggers! The one has an off center bullseye, she said shes pretty sure its a male. I hope so. He's quite the talker. The female doesnt make as much noise. Their names are Elmer and Elma.

I gave them a nice little cozy stall in the barn. This week I plan on getting to TSC and getting some fencing so I can let them out in the sunlight to play.
I don't know why, but I'm really excited about their diets and being able to give them treats.

I bought them a bag of "Cranny Banany" today, the ingredients are: Raisins, peanuts, Banana Chips, cranberries, bananas, coconut and/or vegetable oil and/or sunflower oil, sugar, banana flavor, citric acid elderberry juice concentrate.
Is this alright to feed them as a treat?
It's a dumb question, but I'm learning as I go.

What are some good snacks and treats I can give them?

Also does anyone have any helpful advice?

 

[PrinceSandwich]

Congrats! Where's the pics?

 

[mitch324]

Congrats. Thats great to here.

 

[Supreme Emu]

Haleyh, I'll venture that it's both cheaper for you and healthier for your emus to give them natural treats. My emus love dried apples, dried figs, dried bananas, and dried mango. Fresh fruit ditto. They like nuts.

What I've learned, though, is that they're rather indiscriminate: things are Yummy for Emus, or simply Not Yummy for Emus. A handful of wheat is a perfectly good treat for them. You'll go broke trying to feed them treats. Save your pennies for the scary day when you need to call a vet.


Once, when the Society for The Protection of Animals guy wasn't around, I gave Greedy a teaspoonful of peanut butter. Think about it: emus have no tongue.

I look forward to learning from you about taming a very young emu – mine were perhaps four months old and entirely wild (though their dad would come close to me) when I first began interacting with them.

Move slowly when you're near them. Talk to them quietly all the time. (Tell them how handsome and feathery they are.) I think it helps when they get into scrapes (which they will) if they are used to your (quiet) voice. If they come close, sit perfectly still. (Greedy is six feet six on tippy toes, and she sometimes puts her beak to within two or three inches of my nose, but she hasn't ever pecked me.)

Finally, for what it's worth: wire is a real problem for emus. Both the emus I've lost died as a result of getting tangled in wire. If they get caught, they panic, and they can very quickly injure themselves very badly. So, look at your enclosure with this in mind as they get bigger: is there anywhere a panicked emu can get its silly self caught up?


Supreme Emu

 

[chickenzoo]

Good info SE,

I would give them things like broccoli, greens, bread etc... etc... mine really enjoy. ( I don't have any wheat fields near by, LOL ) Dog food is a good treat when they get older. I've been raising up my 9 Pyrenees puppies and Pumba likes to sneak in and steal some puppy chow.. hehe

 

[foulman007]

Mine love watermelon ill cut one in half and let em go at it .but stand back it can be a mess.

 

[BirdManFromHurricaneCreek]

Where did you get your emus? Do they have anymore?

 

[Czech's_chicks]

Mine liked wild yellow mustard, most other kinds of weeds, avocado leaves, radish tops and kale.

 

[MNShepherdess]

Our male, Emmit, LOVED the biggest dandelions we could find them. The bigger the better.

Hugs were also a good treat for him, he was a cuddler

Rayna

 

[Czech's_chicks]

Quote:
that's cute. I had a hen that would put her head on your shoulder and when you stroked her neck, she would fall asleep.