Baby Emu's can´t stand or walk

[Phoebe2007]

Hi! I’m seeking advice on two baby emus we recently found on our farm. They couldn’t stand or walk on their own when we discovered them, but we know they could walk before, as we’d seen them with their father. Since then, we've been caring for them by providing food and water, which they eat well on their own. They appear alert and interested during feeding, and their droppings seem normal compared to other emus.

However, we’re unsure of their age or what might have caused them to stop walking. From what we can see, they don’t have any visible injuries or joint inflammation. When we try to help them walk, one makes some effort, moving its legs while supported, but the other doesn't attempt to stand or move its legs at all. Each time we spot their father nearby, we place them outside so they can interact with him and their other siblings, but they still can't manage to stand.

It's been about a week since we found them. We're wondering if there might be something contributing to their inability to walk—perhaps a deficiency or illness, as we don’t know what they were feeding on before. We live in a very remote area, so it's difficult to get a vet to come out or take them somewhere for an examination.

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Kiki]

Can you post a picture of them so we can see about what size/how old they are?
What are you feeding them now?

 

[Phoebe2007]

We’ve been feeding them plants from the area that we know emus typically eat, because we´ve seen them eat it. Additionally, we’ve been offering fruits like bananas and apples, as well as carrots. Someone suggested they might have a calcium deficiency, so we’ve also started giving them boiled eggs to address that possibility.

 

[Kiki]

I would guess they are missing something in their diet that is causing this. What I am not sure. Are you able to buy bird vitamins in your area?


Read this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/emu-chicks-cant-stand-on-their-feet.1378105/post-22645429


@briefvisit Can you offer any advice?

 

[briefvisit]

Sadly, guys, no. You see, although I am still a regular poster here, you need the advice of those, mostly U.S. folks, who have pet emus.

These are the members with knowledge of feeding and veterinary care. 'My' emus are on auto-pilot: they get a handful of wheat; but they feed themselves.

SE

 

[MGG]

I can't help much as I've never had emus but the first thing I'd do is get them out of that slippery cardboard box. I'd get them in a pet playpen or big tote box with towels or puppy pads or something on the bottom. Can you get Gamebird starter or anything where you are? Assuming you're not in the US if they're native to where you are.

 

[briefvisit]

Well done, MGG. I missed that.

Yes, slippery surfaces are a disaster for small dinosaur feet.

SE