Raising Emu
Feed: Juvenile and adult diets should consist of chicken pellets transitioned to layer pellets, alfalfa-based rabbit pellets (extruded is best), and Rooster Booster vit/mineral pellets. We add mini chunk dog food, chicken scratch (unless it attracts wild birds), black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, frozen/fresh fruits, and vegetables. Ours love frozen peas/carrots and blueberries. They also forage grass/insects all day long.
Temperament: Our emu have always been friendly, each with different personalities, very curious by nature, and have never been mean or aggressive to us. They can range from very affectionate in your pocket type to more shy or reserved. Emu that are not socialized as chicks may never want to be touched, making it much harder to treat if an injury were to occur. When hormones hit at maturity emus can become aggressive towards one another (more so with 18-24 month old females). Having a higher male-to-female ratio, ample space so that they can get away from one another, multiple feed/water stations, and a way to separate if necessary is extremely helpful.
Shelter: Provide at least one three-sided shelter. Emus love all weather conditions and are very hardy in the rain, sleet, snow, ice, and hot humid summers.
Emu are typically full grown around 12-14 months old and will be around 5-6 ft tall.
Adequate fencing: At least 6'. Predator-proof as much as possible. An emu will have no desire to "run away" from his territory and mate unless there is no other choice.
Potentially toxic substances: Teflon fumes, air fresheners, medicated chick feed, Corid (amprolium), goat feed high in copper, metal, dewormers, avocado, black walnut trees, baited mice, lawn fertilizer, wild cherry, stone fruit trees, nightshade, hemlock, pokeweed, azaleas, bracken fern, creeping indigo, sago palms, fireweed, and some mushrooms.
Poop: Remember emus both pee and poop from their cloaca. Consistency can range from semi-firm to an all-out splat, which is perfectly normal.
They love all shiny things, be mindful of your earrings/jewelry or small pieces of metal.
Emu are naturally parasite-resistant. In heavy-horse-populated areas, you can choose to vaccinate for EEE, Equine Encephalitis, or West Nile Virus.
Always introduce new emu to existing mob slowly, especially with adults. Keep them separate but where they can see each other for several weeks.
Emu are a species that offer many benefits to their environment. They help spread seeds, promote the germination of new plants, and keep large amounts of pesky insects away.