Emu Questions

[my spoiled chickens]

Now that I have Call ducks I need a new obsession to occupy me and I've always wanted emu's and I have enough space for them.But naturally I have a few questions.

#1 Can you teach them to not climb?(you can always hope,right?)

#2 Could they live with goats and sheep or alpaca's?(they would have plenty of room)

#3 Could I give them chicken feed but with extra vitamins to suit their needs?Emu feed isn't very common around here.

#4 If I hatch them out myself will a regular incubator do or do I need a special Bator?

#5 Where's the best place to get them(hatching eggs or chicks)

#6 Do they have any predators I need to protect from?

#7 Are Rheas better than emu's for beginners

Thanks for any replies!

 

[my spoiled chickens]

#8 How to convince people that we need them

 

[JacinLarkwell]

@Pyxis

 

[my spoiled chickens]

I was about to do that

 

[emupriya]

Now that I have Call ducks I need a new obsession to occupy me and I've always wanted emu's and I have enough space for them.But naturally I have a few questions.

#1 Can you teach them to not climb?(you can always hope,right?)

#2 Could they live with goats and sheep or alpaca's?(they would have plenty of room)

#3 Could I give them chicken feed but with extra vitamins to suit their needs?Emu feed isn't very common around here.

#4 If I hatch them out myself will a regular incubator do or do I need a special Bator?

#5 Where's the best place to get them(hatching eggs or chicks)

#6 Do they have any predators I need to protect from?

#7 Are Rheas better than emu's for beginners

Thanks for any replies!

#1- By climbing, do you mean jumping? All my fences are around 5 ft. I’ve only had an emu jump it once, and that was because of a porcupine incident. If the emus are happy I wouldn’t worry too much about them escaping. But better to get fencing around 6ft.
#2- if they are exposed to the other animals early on it should be no issue. My emus pretty much ignore my goats, and vise versa.
#3- I’ve heard that nutrition is important when they are growing, the first few months. I personally think chicken feed will be fine, as long as they have plenty of room to forage. Also giving them things like fruits + veg. However if you can find “ratite” feed that would be ideal.
#4 + #5 - Not sure about the incubator thing. And depending on where you live, I would look online like on Craigslist.
#6- also depending on where you live, but for the most part emus are avoided by most predators (only once they reach maturity, when they are young they are very vulnerable)
I would say coyotes and bears are the only ones you have to be concerned about. Lock them in at night and it shouldn’t be an issue.
#7- I have yet to get a Rhea, but I would suggest emu. I think Rhea are known to be slightly more aggressive, and also harder to find. Male emus are tamer also.
#8- no matter what people will ask why you have emu!! No advice for that.. except why not?

 

[briefvisit]

'better to get fencing around 6ft.'

 

[my spoiled chickens]

How much room is ideal, I think my goat pen is 1/8 acre

 

[p4PaDuck]

Not sure about the incubator thing. And depending on where you live, I would look online like on Craigslist.

Just a regular cabinet incubator works if it fits an emu egg. Brinseas are a favorite for emus

 

[briefvisit]

How much room is ideal, I think my goat pen is 1/8 acre

Lots and lots and lots of room. This is perhaps the commonest discussion of all.

Emus are not domestic critters. In the wild, they cover astonishing distances. A tennis court is like a postage stamp to them.

SE

 

[my spoiled chickens]

Lots and lots and lots of room. This is perhaps the commonest discussion of all.

Emus are not domestic critters. In the wild, they cover astonishing distances. A tennis court is like a postage stamp to them.

SE

So more like a football field?