Care of the Emu Bird

Emus are large birds native to Australia that can grow to be up to 6 feet tall. Weighing in at over 100 pounds, emus belong to the ratite family of birds, as do ostriches, and are frequently raised as exotic pets. Also valuable for their feathers and eggs, caring for emus requires plenty of time and space. Feeding large birds can be expensive, and emus require a significant amount of attention.

Things You'll Need

  • Brooder house
  • Rearing pen
  • Shelter
  • Pen
  • Starter feed
  • Ratite grower feed
  • Ratite feed
  • Fresh water
  • Straw
  • Fruits and vegetables (optional)
  • Preventative wormer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide baby emus, or emu chicks, with a starter food that is approximately 16 percent protein, as well as fresh, clean water. Emu chicks should live in a brooder house, which you can purchase from specialty stores.

    • 2

      Switch emu chicks to ratite grower food when they reach 2 months of age. Provide a rearing pen for adolescent emus as a stepping stone between the brooder house and a large outdoor pen.

    • 3

      Change the food your emus are eating gradually to avoid upsetting their stomachs. Do this by slowly adding small amounts of the new feed into their current feed.

    • 4

      Build a pen for your emus from chain-link or cattle-link fencing. This pen should measure a minimum of 100-by-30 feet, and the walls of the pen should reach at least 6 feet in height, as adult emus can jump quite high.

    • 5

      Transfer your emus to the pen you built in Step 3 when they are 12 months old. At 14 months old, switch adolescent emus to an adult ratite feed. Provide plenty of fresh, clean water.

    • 6

      Provide a sturdy shelter for your emus inside their pen to protect them against extreme weather conditions. Emus need shelter from the cold in the winter, and shade from the sun in the summer.

    • 7

      Add straw to your emu shelter to act as bedding and provide warmth. While emus can handle cold temperatures, if it gets extremely cold, it is advisable to guide your emus toward their shelter if they are not moving on their own.

    • 8

      Offer adult emus healthy treats of fruits and vegetables such as sliced apples, grapes, carrots and spinach, if desired.

    • 9

      Spend time with your emus. Emus enjoy spending time with people and other animals, and often exhibit personality traits such as curiosity and friendliness.

    • 10

      Give your emus preventative wormer once a month, or according to the directions of your veterinarian. This is helpful for preventing internal worms, which emus are susceptible to.