Hi Joe here from Tullywood farm.
I keep a couple of Emu's and have done lots of research into these birds before buying them.
These birds are no longer on the Dangerous Wild Animals Act in the UK as they are deemed as a lot less Dangerous than Ostrich.(Removed Oct 2007)
The fence that you require for these want to be about Five feet high unlike Ostrich which wants to be at least six feet six inch high.
Also the pen doesn't need a rail at the bottom 18 inch high to escape under like you need with Ostrich as unlike Ostrich the Emu doesn't attack.
Also if you did put the rail the Emu would tend to try and escape under it and could seriously injure its self.
The pen wants to be as big as possible mine is approx 60 meters x 20 meters with additional space there if required,You need the pen to be nice and long as they tend to like to walk along the side of a fence NOT because they are bored but because they like to especially if they can walk along the fence that you walk past to come and see them.
The best number of Emu's to keep is TWO then they have company for each other and also if you had THREE one could be singled out as two of them will tend to form a bond and might pick on the single one.
The house needs to be as big as possible as well 10 feet by 10 feet is not a bad size with a concrete yard 10 feet x 20 feet out side make sure you can lock the animals in the house or house and yard when ever you need to work on or in the pen as EVEN THOUGH I am stating that These ANIMALS are NOT Dangerous EVERY animal no matter how big or small Can be dangerous from Lions to Rabbits I know one person that ended up with a broken hip from a RAM that was very quiet and if you are able to lock the Emu's into the house when working on the pen you will be able to concentrate on the work in hand.
Emu's in captivity can live up to 30 years so you have to be prepared for this type of commitment.
Emu's are approx 4 feet to 6feet 6inch and take about two years to become fully grown they are by nature a very inquisitive and Not aggressive and can weight anything from 80 to 120lbs when fully grown.
The female lays anything between 30 to 40 eggs in the winter time and while on the subject of the winter these animals are very hardy and only need a basic shelter to keep them happy.
The eggs are green in colour and take 56 days to incubate and then when the Emu's are born they are approx 7" high and are striped with speckled heads which in there natural enviroment would help them blend in and stay safe.
Emu's are omnivores and feed on anything like grass,seeds,fruit,weeds and insects when fully grown a adult Emu require 1 to 1.5 lbs of feed each per day of Ratite feed if you are not able to get this Layers pellets are pefectly OK.
They also love things like carrots and apple BUT be aware that you need to chop them as they will swallow whole if given the chance.
These birds also need to be able to pick up SMALL stones which they use to grind up there food in there Gizzard they can have up to 1lb in there gizzard at any one time.
You will need to have a fresh supply of water available at all time in the pen as they drink a lot of water I use an automatic drinker for them which are available to buy from any good feed store for about €30.00.
Emu's do tend to peck at anything that is shiny so be aware of this if you have Earrings in.
There is a lot of information available on the web try looking at
www.leicestershireemus.comI found this web site very very helpfull BUT I am also very lucky as one of our friends is the Keeper of RHEA and OSTRICH in Dublin Zoo and has worked with Emu so I was able to ask him to come down and HELP me design my Emu pen.
The other thing to remember is try to keep changing the pen slightly NEW things for them to look at ect as I have allready stated these birds are realy inquisative.
NOW on a more serious note ANIMAL HEALTH Emu's are birds and as birds they are able to suffer from all problems that birds suffer from also remember not only your Chickens ect but Wild bird BUT on a whole they tend to be fine as with all STOCK the most important thing after food and water is keeping ther house CLEAN so that they can rest in a clean,warm and safe environment.
JUST ONE THING as far as I can tell YOU do need a LICENCE in Northern Ireland to keep these Birds.
I do hope this has not put you off Gem as I would love you to be an Emu keeper as well if I can be of any further assistance just ask.
Kind Regard
Joe
Topic: emu's (Read 15205 times)
