The life of Daryl the emu

[Ellamumu]

My 5 year old son is named Ella because I didn't know he was a he until he was about a year old and at that point he already knew his name so why change it.

 

[briefvisit]

I named Felicity 'Felicity' because she had such lovely eyelashes. Then, for a while, I was sure she was male. But then . . . she boomed; so I knew she was female, so that solved that.

[DNA tests and vent-sexing are beyond me, so I sometimes don't know a bird's sex 'til it's adult.]

SE

 

[mich9510]

I though I'd better post an update on Daryl. Its been a few days.
Daryl will be 4 months old on April 25th. She is becoming so much more independent. She's still sleeping in the chicken coop but during the day she spends most of her time by herself. Im surprised she's still sleeping in the coop, when it gets dark she just walks right in and lays down.
I haven't heard her distress call in about a week. When we heard her before we would say "daryl's lost" and have to find her chicken friends for her. (Recall i had to buy Daryl some isa brown chicks from rural king because she was lonely). If she sees her chickens she walks over to say hi but it turns out these Isa Browns have the activity level of a cornish cross which simply wont do for Daryl.
I know this is probably abnormal but we actually feed daryl in the house in the entry way. All the chickens and ducks love the fresh greens, fruit, nuts, and insects we give Daryl, in addition to her pellets we supplement with. They all get their own treats and emu pellets arent cheap. So when daryl gets hungry she simply comes to the door and whistles at us. We let her in, she eats her fill, and then goes back outside. Sometimes she snacks on the chickens feed but most of her food is specially made for her by her humans. I will type some more regarding her relationships with the other animals and her humans later but i have to get ready for work.

 

[mich9510]

Daryl today.

 

[pattyhen]

Daryl is beautiful and thank you so much for the update. I don't see a problem with her eatting in the house. At least you know she ate and I know how chickens can be so greedy especially when it's someone elses food. I would love to hear how she interacts with the other animals and the humans.

 

[briefvisit]

Yes, Daryl is beautiful.

'Im surprised she's still sleeping in the coop, when it gets dark she just walks right in and lays down.'

Never seen a roost in the open. Perhaps apart from hooomernz wanting shelters for emoooz more than emoooz, it's about a little cover from wind and rain.

se

 

[mich9510]

I keep waiting for the evening she decides she doesnt want to go in the coop anymore.... At 4 months old there's no way we could make her go in the coop. Shes so big!

Me and Daryl had a moment today. I was digging up some sod for my new garden, accompanied by the lady Daryl. She picks through the sod for worms, grubs, mealworms and the occasional cicada. Anyway she was standing facing me so i took a break and started petting her. She really likes when i start at her head and run my hands down her neck the whole way to her toosh. I do a scratching motion while I'm petting her. She will usually go down to her knees like she is so relaxed. Today was no different but when she went to her knees, i did too. She then schooched closer to me and rolled slightly so that her upper body (from her little wings up) was laying on my knee and her legs were laying out to her side. We sat like that for a few minutes and it was awesome.
I seem to be the only one who is allowed to touch any part of her other than her neck.

 

[pattyhen]

Daryl is such a sweetie. I wish you could have gotten a pic of her laying beside you. What a sweet moment you all shared.

 

[Debs Flock]

Sorry, brief interruption to your regularly scheduled banter...

Please go to this thread and post if you're interested in a 2018 "Other Poultry" calendar. (No guarantee, but trying to demonstrate interest to Rob & staff.)
Thanks! Please share with others!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/other-poultry-calendar-for-2018-anyone.1161866/

 

[mich9510]

Hey everyone! We're back!
I've been busy building my hobby farm.
Things are great! Daryl has grown soooo much. She's about 6 feet tall when she stands at attention and I'd guess about 130-140 lbs.
And we have an addition!
Ernie the emu was hatched in march 2018.
He's growing fast and hopefully next year will become Daryl's husband...lol. Here's a few pictures...