Where do your emus sleep?

[The Sheriff]

Hi, I have a question to ask. I was going to trade one of my male emus for a female that TGreenhut has. At he last minute I postponed the exchange because I couldn't imagine giving one of the away. That night, for the first time we couldn't get them to go into their shelter at bedtime. They have been outside all night for the last three nights. We have tried everything but we just can't get them to go in so we can lock the gate behind them. They wander in and out and eat and stuff but they are not locked up. I am so worried that a predator is going to get them. We are out in the country. Our property is fenced but we do have coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, etc. We have two donkeys who do a good job keeping the coyotes away but I still worry. We are keeping the donkeys in a separate pasture now that the emus are out at night. I don't want them to get donkey stomped when they start pulling on Jack's tail and messing with him. They have no fear of the donkeys. I wish I knew why they won't go in at night.

So, my boys are just over eight months old. Where do you guys keep your emus at night? Does anyone else have theirs running loose at this age?

 

[dnkfarm]

I have 1 male/1 female adults. All day they stay close to the goat shed then @ 5pm they head to the woods they have several different sleeping spots but all in the woods. From what I understand a male is noted for attacking(kicking) anything that does not belong especially dogs. My male attacked my buck goat who got in with the does I believe because he knew the buck did not belong there. He also chases my Great Pyrenees. I have heard of ppl uses male emus for guardians. I hope this helps

 

[chickenzoo]

Pumba is about 7 months old now, he has been outside for a long time but I had a shelter for him and a penned in area separate from the pasture.... and I have the GP for protection. At the new place they are all out in the pasture. As they get older they don't need the shelter and many just find a spot on the ground they like and sleep there. All my adults have slept outside by themselves, some pic a spot by the horses and mini cows to sleep. Some like corners to sleep... some out in the middle ...... But I do have protection from predators. A single emu is an easy target, although many will go after dogs and things they do not recognize and stomp them, especially in daylight. 2 emu are better because they tend to gang up on a predator and stomp & hiss ..... pretty intimidating. If you can I would run strands of hot tape( i don't like using hotwire as they can get caught up and hurt in it) around their area, like at least 3, 2 at the bottom, one at the top at different heights to keep off predators. Emu have the need to run, and as they get older they often feel trapped and vulnerable in an enclosed space. that may be why they wouldn't go in or something about the space seemed different.

 

[The Sheriff]

Thanks for the replies. I feel a bit more relieved now. I think it does have something to do with the space being enclosed. Food used to lure them in but that stopped working a few days ago. They will still go in there to get there food but they want to come right back out.

Mary

 

[chickenzoo]

Your babies are just growing up momma......

 

[The Sheriff]

I know.

I think Louis must have been out on the prowl all night because here he is this morning!

 

[Kevin565]

Louis is adorable!

 

[chickenzoo]

He looks like some guys I've seen after a night of partying

 

[The Sheriff]

He got his second wind!

 

[chickenzoo]

Beautiful view............... here in FL it is FLAT FLAT FLAT... I do like on kind of a hill