How to calm an emu when it's scared?

[Songbird21]

I live on a farm with 2 emu (A mated pair). The farm next door is felling trees today and the owner dropped two huge ones right in a row. It scared the crap out of the female and now she's attacking the fence of her pen trying to get out. How do I calm her down? I was able to pet her for a bit but the second I was out of the pen she was back at the fence. I'm afraid she's gonna hurt herself.

 

[briefvisit]

Very difficult situation, song bird.

My ideas concern the long term. Talking to them: I talk to them all the time. There’s no doubt it makes them less flighty.

And for times when they get their silly selves trapped in the back yard (my birds are tame-wild), I use the ‘signature sound’ they know: me tapping the bottom of their tin feed dish.

But right this second? Once emus are spooked, it’s easier for them to just get more spooked.

Really your only option is to stay with them, and talk soothingly to them.

Good luck

SE

P.s.: not 'attacking' the fence. It's flight reflex: straight line away from the source of fear. If they can't scale the fence, they'll rush to and fro along it, looking for a way out. It is, I know, heart-rending to watch.

 

[Songbird21]

*Sigh* Drat. I was hoping there was some other trick to try. Oh well. Thank you for your response

 

[allbirds4me]

A very loud radio will help some.
Also, If you can block them from seeing the trees falling that would help too but depending on their line of sight you may not be able to do that.
( hang tarps and/or shade cloth on the fence, for example)
Hope this info. is not too late and hope you haven't lost any birds.

 

[featherhead007]

*Sigh* Drat. I was hoping there was some other trick to try. Oh well. Thank you for your response

there is a trick! magnify and play soft music that they can hear. It works!

 

[Songbird21]

Ooo! I'll try that. Thanks, guys!