Feeding New Emu Chicks

[Grassman 52]

I have a few of my new chicks eating and drinking -

Question: I put chopped up greens in the chick starter and in the water - they seem to love the greens but I don't see them eating the chick starter - should I be concerned?

 

[Nicophorus]

How long have you had them? Chicks can go off feed for a couple days after some stress, but figure things out most the time after that.

 

[Grassman 52]

oldest is only 7 days - next few are 4-5 days - they are just starting, I see them eating the greens but not the chick starter.

 

[Tame Emu Guy]

Morning, Grassman.

I know nothing about your sitation, that is, caring for newly-incubated chicks/aggression among newly-incubated chicks.

But, ‘cause we love our emoos, I think we are reluctant to not see them as cutie fluffies.

A stronger bird will attack a weaker bird. I have had the awful experience of stoning one of my birds as I struggled to stop her and her sister, whom I was keeping at bay with a broom, from killing their injured sister.

I personally would segregate the aggressive chick forthwith simply because you can’t monitor the chicks 24/7, and it only takes a few minutes to peck an injured bird to death.

You could then re-introduce the aggressive chick while you are monitoring, and see how things progress.

Supreme Emu

 

[Grassman 52]

This morning I saw that 4 of the chicks were eating the greens and chick starter and drinking a lot more - IMO this is a case where one chick figured it out and the others followed. I am just overly concerned being my first time with Emu chicks.

As far as the picking on other chicks - Yoda suggested a put some cheap cat toys in the brooding area so the chicks are not bored - it worked and the chicks are picking at the balls and not each other - Need to get them outside into the chick run.

 

[Tame Emu Guy]

Cat's toys?

Great idea!

S.E.

 

[Grassman 52]

I was a great idea - the chicks still pick at the little balls and I can hear the bells inside as they push them all over the brooder - All of the eye picking has stopped.

 

[Kiril749]

Even better would be a parrot toy. They're shinier.......

Also Grassman, I put my Emu chicks with some Pilgrim goslings that hatched at the same time. The goslings taught the Emus to eat and drink right away. Also, I give the greens as a treat only. I also feed them the greens by hand only. This ensures a great bonding and dependency experience. Now when I walk by the brooder they come right over to greet me......

 

[yinepu]

Even better would be a parrot toy. They're shinier.......

Also Grassman, I put my Emu chicks with some Pilgrim goslings that hatched at the same time. The goslings taught the Emus to eat and drink right away. Also, I give the greens as a treat only. I also feed them the greens by hand only. This ensures a great bonding and dependency experience. Now when I walk by the brooder they come right over to greet me......

lol.. i never bother to handfeed the greens..
i also let them have as much of the collard greens as they want.. it's loaded with vitamins (especially calcium) and much better for them than a "chick starter" which won't have nearly enough calcium for an emu chick

even without the handfeeding mine still come running when I go out in the yard and call them (most times I don't even need to call.. as soon as they see myself or my husband they start running as fast as they can to come get some attention and be nosy)

 

[Grassman 52]

my chicks have been getting greens (chopped up) three times a day and (geese-duck) starter/grower free choice. Started hand feeding for a few minutes each day then just give them the balance.

They went outside to their new run this morning - still don't know how to handle the big outdoors - I will take some pics later today and post.

Built them a large chick run and all they want to do is hang in the coner


That's 10 chicks