How to Choose Food for an Emu

Second only to the ostrich in size, the emu, like other livestock, requires its own unique feed. There are several routes you can take to ensure a balanced diet for your birds, but there are pros and cons for each method. You need to consider a few factors like cost, availability, quality and the effect on your stock before you can choose the best option for you.

Things You'll Need

  • Local mill (optional)
  • Emu-specific rations or ratite formula
  • Formula for emu feed
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Instructions

    • 1

      Visit your local feed mill to see what kind of rations they offer. They may already carry food specifically formulated for emus or can order some for you. Unfortunately, many locations don't have enough demand, space or desire to stock emu feed, so many emu farmers can't get the feed locally.

    • 2

      Buy a general ratite feed, which is more readily available than rations geared specifically toward emus. Although easier to find at some feed mills, the problem lies in the fact that ratite feed is made more for ostriches and rheas and generally contains 5 percent more fiber than really needed for emus.

    • 3

      Have your feed milled using proven formulas or a formula you've developed on your own based on the nutritional needs of your emus. Talk to your local feed mill to find out if they have the capabilities to fill these needs and are willing to make the food for you.

    • 4

      Mix your own feed. Many emu farmers who can't find ready-made food products for their birds--or the choices are just too expensive--will mix their own version. There is nothing wrong with this method as long as you research the proper ingredients to include and steer clear of the ones that are unhealthy or potential hazardous to emus.

    • 5

      Raise your birds through the pasture method. In the wild, emus survive on herbs, grasses and bugs. In captivity, they can be reared the same way. Although a cheap and easy alternative, pasture-raised emus may not be as large as those on feed, especially if the pickings get slim due to a severely dry summer.

    • 6

      Purchase books containing information about emu farming to help you with the required ingredients for feed. Volumes 1 and 2 of Maria Minnaar's "The Emu Farmer's Handbook" are full of photos and information about various aspects of raising emus, including chapters on food requirements. These books can be purchased from Amazon and Schatz Publishing.

    • 7

      Subscribe to magazines that contain information about raising emus. "Emu Today and Tomorrow" is a monthly publication dedicated to every aspect of emu farming. Past articles have included information about feeding emus, and you can order back issues through the company. Each issue also includes a directory of breeders and classified advertisements where you might find someone selling feed or ingredients or formulas for food.

    • 8

      Become a member of the Emu Farming Information Group on Yahoo! Members of this group can use the online forum to speak to other emu farmers or people involved in different aspects of the emu industry. This is a good place to ask other people what they feed their emus and where they get it. Membership is free of charge.

    • 9

      Join local, state and national organizations involved in the emu industry or ratites in general. The American Emu Association has state chapters nationwide as well as the national group. For a membership fee, you will gain access to the members-only areas of their website, which include advice about emu farming and an online forum to talk with other members of the organization.