Using caution around Emu kicks?

[507382]

Hey guys, hope everyone is having a good winter. It's currently -20 here in Northern BC, Canada and my emus are now 6 months old and doing great! Strider's feathers all came back in after his october incident and is mostly all healed up.

The other day, they were all getting goofy (as they do, lol) and Strider came within INCHES of me for the first time as he front kicked. Normally I don't worry at all around my emooz because they're sweet goofy things that would never hurt a fly... Errrr. wait.

I thought I better ask on here for people with fully grown emus. Do you give them space when they get goofy too close to you? Or just stand there and hope you don't get kicked? Have you been kicked? Is it common? Are they practicing dominance around this age?

Thanks!

 

[Redhead Rae]

@Pyxis may be able to answer that question.

 

[FishMtFarm]

I don’t ever move or run when mine come at me playing cause they like to chase and get even more goofy if you run or move away quick. Instead I raise my hands and go at them and they steer clear. They need to know that horse play like that with you is unacceptable cause a kick will hurt and their claws cut deep.

 

[507382]

I don’t ever move or run when mine come at me playing cause they like to chase and get even more goofy if you run or move away quick. Instead I raise my hands and go at them and they steer clear. They need to know that horse play like that with you is unacceptable cause a kick will hurt and their claws cut deep.

So you never run around with them? Not even a little bit? lol Mine get really excited when I do so, and it's fun! But, now I'm rethinking all my actions after you said that haha

I do put my hand up when they get too close, and I haven't been kicked yet. I'm glad I asked though. I just like to encourage them to get goofy but ideally in a way that doesn't leave me injured. They get excited when I whistle and throw toys for them too.

 

[Redhead Rae]

So you never run around with them? Not even a little bit? lol Mine get really excited when I do so, and it's fun! But, now I'm rethinking all my actions after you said that haha

I do put my hand up when they get too close, and I haven't been kicked yet. I'm glad I asked though. I just like to encourage them to get goofy but ideally in a way that doesn't leave me injured. They get excited when I whistle and throw toys for them too.

You have to treat them like you would a horse really. You need to get them to respect you and not to teach them to do things as littles that may be really cute and adorable in the moment but that would be dangerous when they grow up.

 

[FishMtFarm]

So you never run around with them? Not even a little bit? lol Mine get really excited when I do so, and it's fun! But, now I'm rethinking all my actions after you said that haha

I do put my hand up when they get too close, and I haven't been kicked yet. I'm glad I asked though. I just like to encourage them to get goofy but ideally in a way that doesn't leave me injured. They get excited when I whistle and throw toys for them too.

When you interact with them you want it to be in a calm manor or else they will rush you when you come to the gate or go nuts when you need to handle them. I run around out there but I do not let them run at me. I keep other animals out there and I actually discourage them from chasing the other animals. They learn to play amongst themselves. They are a very smart bird and they have a flight response so that can send them out of control. I would just interact in more calm ways like spraying them with the hose and petting, maybe hand feed treats. Stuff like that.

 

[FishMtFarm]

You also want them to stay calm
And cool with you if you plan on collecting eggs. I even touch my birds legs and feet so they are use to the feel and don’t try to kick out.

 

[briefvisit]

Glad that Strider is re-feathered! Can we have photos?

Most interesting questions! In ten years I've had just two neurotic emus, who thought I was an emu, and would make little gonna-peck-you-on-the-head rushes at me when my back was turned. Otherwise, I stand or even kneel in front of my birds, who have never expressed the slightest hostility towards me.

Again, I wonder about how restrictions of movement affect temperament.

But bottom line? a full-grown emu has a kick that would go very close to punching a hole in a 44-gallon drum. So if you think there's a risk, stay out of the line of fire.

[Limpychick and Tooshtoosh are here, the first birds we've ever watched in the first months of adulthood. So, two years old is when the books say an emu is full grown. But the last six months -- months 24 to 30 for the 'chicks' -- Limpychick has definitely put on some kilos.]

Supreme Emu

 

[507382]

You have to treat them like you would a horse really. You need to get them to respect you and not to teach them to do things as littles that may be really cute and adorable in the moment but that would be dangerous when they grow up.

Sound advice, thank you!

When you interact with them you want it to be in a calm manor or else they will rush you when you come to the gate or go nuts when you need to handle them. I run around out there but I do not let them run at me. I keep other animals out there and I actually discourage them from chasing the other animals. They learn to play amongst themselves. They are a very smart bird and they have a flight response so that can send them out of control. I would just interact in more calm ways like spraying them with the hose and petting, maybe hand feed treats. Stuff like that.

Yes I agree, and I'm always calm around them save for the odd time we all get goofy. Thanks for the tips!

You also want them to stay calm
And cool with you if you plan on collecting eggs. I even touch my birds legs and feet so they are use to the feel and don’t try to kick out.

lol yes. I touch their feet and legs and they don't mind a lot.. I guess we've done it since they were young, having already read that info!

Glad that Strider is re-feathered! Can we have photos?

Most interesting questions! In ten years I've had just two neurotic emus, who thought I was an emu, and would make little gonna-peck-you-on-the-head rushes at me when my back was turned. Otherwise, I stand or even kneel in front of my birds, who have never expressed the slightest hostility towards me.

Again, I wonder about how restrictions of movement affect temperament.

But bottom line? a full-grown emu has a kick that would go very close to punching a hole in a 44-gallon drum. So if you think there's a risk, stay out of the line of fire.

[Limpychick and Tooshtoosh are here, the first birds we've ever watched in the first months of adulthood. So, two years old is when the books say an emu is full grown. But the last six months -- months 24 to 30 for the 'chicks' -- Limpychick has definitely put on some kilos.]

Supreme Emu

I stand and kneel near mine too and the most they do is peck me out of curiosity because now I'm shorter lol

Wow, I thought they would be full grown by a year. That makes sense though. I still can't fathom how large they are probably going to get!

Here's some photos of the flock.

fawkes being flat as a pancake

he always sits! But rarely sits all the way down like this.

Fawkes again
He's the biggest by far

inspecting the cold

cuddles from Strider before i head to work yesterday

 

[The Phantom]

@Pyxis