How do I catch an emu

[ponyboy]

Im going this weekend to buy some adult emu`s. but Im not sure how to go about catching them I would much rather buy chicks but Im having a hard time locating any for sale.

 

[yinepu]

are they wild?

 

[chickenzoo]

Are they tame adults? Have they been handled much? Do you have a horse trailer? how big an area are they in? If you have a trailer then back it into a corner where you can use the door as a third wall. If you can bring corral panels that is even more helpful. Ideally..... and note i said ideally..... you want to walk them down the fence line toward the boxed in area and when you push them in use the gate of the trailer to herd them into the trailer.

Next option ... take a black thick sock, cut a small slit in the toe and turn it inside out on your hand. Pin the emu against a wall and Grab the emus beak and flip the sock over it's head and down the neck so the beak goes in the slit. This helps calm them down, then stand behind them and grab a wing in each hand and steer them into the trailer...... Watch for kicking feet.

Option 3 - bring two extra large dog carriers , place feed in the back and when the emu goes to get it slip his head and neck inside and keep backing up with him, have someone from behind push while you place carrier on ground and keep pushing till he's in..... seriously people say they fit, although I have never done this method.

Option 4- If you can easily pick up 125 lbs, come from behind the emu, bear hug him and lean back while holding him up and back against you. Watch for flailing legs. Walk him to trailer and have someone shut the gate while you give him a small toss in.....

 

[ponyboy]

Hi thank you sooo much for your advice. I don't know how tame they are. I do know they are in a pasture not sure the size of pasture. I was thinking about renting a uhaul trailer(enclosed)to transport them in do to weather and temperature and distance of travel. Wait till my wife finds out she has to go and help me. She might make ride in the trailer. Again THANK YOU.

 

[Irine]

I personally had to catch 5 adult Emus on 5 acre hillside property- not an easy task.
We needed 7 people to coral them and keep them from knocking the coral down or breaking through,jumping out (they can jump very high)
You should be very careful with the uhall trailer if you are planing to get one you would need 8x12 ' trailer. Also be careful when you put them inside the trailer,they may hit their legs,get an injury or break their legs.Try using a rump and walk them inside.
Also try not to chase them as you will never succeed
Putting a sock on them is not very easy, my husband had to grab them by their neck and lead them to the trailer.Of course putting a sock will dramatically reduce their stress. Good Luck!

 

[chickenzoo]

Just be very careful of those feet, they may not be mean, but when scared they will kick, and they can kick forward and to the side, always try to stand towards the back of them when moving them. I have scars from being kick by an emu. They also like very shiny objects.....

 

[featherfanatic]

Im going this weekend to buy some adult emu`s. but Im not sure how to go about catching them I would much rather buy chicks but Im having a hard time locating any for sale.

catch from behind don't put sock on , only work 4 ostriches

 

[chickenzoo]

I have used a sock on emu, if it's a thick black sock and not a thin flimsy one it works pretty well for most of them.... There are exceptions.

 

[chickenzoo]

Please update us, so we know you...... Uhhhhh,......well...... Made it out alive....

 

[ponyboy]

I didn't get them this weekend. I postponed picking them until next weekend