Longevity

[dak]

So how long does a domesticated emu live for? I'd like to know before I sucumb to the urge and try to hatch a few.

 

[awesomefowl]

20-30 years

Well, you give them to me....really!

 

[dak]

Quote:
Must resist, must resist...........

 

[Supreme Emu]

Dak, I had never owned a pet in my life. There is no denizen of BYC who is less an animal lover than me. (I wish animals no harm. I just aren't a pet person . . . ) These Emus turned up – I can't say 'univited': hey, it's their turf. They're the ones who were born here. Okay . . . I turned up . . .

Two years later, I have three tame emus. No single day passes but they do something funny. They cost me very little (though my situation is unusual – they largely eat, whatchamacallit, natural emu food. From the ground. In front of them.).

It seems that they become entirely tame if hand-reared from chicks, and compatible with other pets and livestock. I personally think – and we have all discussed this issue at length at length – that the pivotal issue is space. If you have lots of space, you can have emus.

In closing, I note that they are an amazing attraction. I live in the country in Oz, and emus abound (quite literally. They get shot in droves for abounding in farmer's crops); but still the majority of visitors to my faraway farmhouse – including the adults – are intrigued to hand-feed giant prehistoric flightless birds with names like 'Greedy' and 'Number One.'

Supreme Emu

 

[chickenzoo]

Who could resist this face........

 

[awesomefowl]

Quote:
I just know I can't.