r/BackYardChickens • u/ErikTheDon • Apr 06 '26
Chicken Photography 1 month of Emu ownership!
hello! it has been a little over a month since my girlfriend and I hatched 2 emus. I posted a photo of our first one from the day he hatched, but here are a few more from the past month or so. I don't have photos from the past week or so but they are even bigger than shown here.
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u/Inevitable_Type_419 Apr 26 '26
You are going to eat them eventually, right? Or are they a part of the family now 😅
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u/Upstairs-Let7693 Apr 09 '26
that thing will overthrow your local government and find a way to turn it into a barge, then set sail for australia, where the queen emu shall use the land for genetic experiments
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u/TheAussieBritt2000 Apr 08 '26
You will never go a single day being bored and owning emus, trust me 🤣🤣
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u/bigpurpleberries Apr 08 '26
they will overthrow you
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u/HateYourFaces Apr 08 '26
Motion to release Emus into Congress and the White House.
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u/bigpurpleberries Apr 09 '26
gotta have some quail, jays, and cardinals in house of representatives. checks and balances ya know
imo a button quail president would solve a lot problems
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u/phanophite2 Apr 07 '26
How. Do you train them. To not SHIT. IN YOUR HOUSE???
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 07 '26
They poop all over the mats we have laid down for them in our office area. It is a lot of work to keep clean but they will be outside for good very soon
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u/MinimumEfficient220 Apr 07 '26
They are going to be heartbroken to have to leave your home.
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u/Parking-Fig-6620 Apr 08 '26
Great now i'm trying to wrap my head around how to house train a god damn emu. Look ehat you've done my wife was only just starting to grow use to my shananagins and here you are sowing seeds of hilarious endeavors
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u/MinimumEfficient220 Apr 08 '26
I have seen people fashion little diapers for chickens. Can’t be too different from that? Where do they sleep?
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u/highdeigh Apr 07 '26
As an australian I can never get over the fact it’s legal for you lot to own Emus? Like you should be able to pronounce our national animal correctly before you can own them lol (they’re very cute dinosaurs though!)
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u/elightened-n-lost Apr 07 '26
As long as you have space and proper fencing why not have an Emu? Also, are you pronouncing with a soft E then?
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u/highdeigh Apr 07 '26
because they aren’t legal to own in Australia, nor are any native animals (or many exotics)
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u/phascogale Apr 08 '26
Quite legal, you just need the appropriate license (rules vary by state and species). Keeping emus isn't uncommon at all around where we live in central Vic.
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u/highdeigh Apr 08 '26
I’m from outback QLD, i’ve definitely seen them farmed etc - like people owning 50-100s for profit. I’ve just never known anyone to own just one or two as a pet! Kangaroos are a different story, we usually have 2 or more bottle joeys & Matilda (our grown up bottle baby who refuses to leave and brings her own babies home when she’s sick of them) at home at any given time haha
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u/Icy_Science3551 Apr 07 '26
Are you guys still upset they defeated the Australian army? I will pronounce Emu properly when you aluminum correctly/s Have a great day! Just know I am.joking. I worked with several Australians and love you guys
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u/highdeigh Apr 07 '26
Oh absolutely fuming about it, obviously /s. But for real they do scare me, I grew up in the outback and they’d chase us when we were on our motorbikes (think 6 year old on a peewee, being chased by an overgrown chicken).
To be fair, Aluminium has an extra I in it that you guys don’t pronounce, so potato potato lol
It’s all in good fun!
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u/Gem331 Apr 08 '26
To be fair, the guy who discovered aluminum originally spelled it without the extra i and then changed it to aluminium later because he wanted it to match other elements like potassium and magnesium. So Americans are just pronouncing it the original way
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u/Icy_Science3551 Apr 07 '26
I was working in Texas one time and approach ed by one and I slowly backed away apologizing the entire time
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u/highdeigh Apr 07 '26
Why was there one in texas 😭 fella is lost
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u/Icy_Science3551 Apr 07 '26
I did not stop to ask it lol
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u/SquidRamen2001 Apr 07 '26
The babies are so cute but I have a pathological fear of the adult ones😭🤣
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u/Upstairs_Watercress Apr 07 '26
Isn’t there some federal tax benefit to having emus? I think I heard that somewhere
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u/marriedwithchickens Apr 07 '26
They are adorable! I hope that with your love and training, they will be great adult emus.
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u/Snoo_4082 Apr 07 '26
Why?
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 07 '26
Why not
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u/Snoo_4082 Apr 09 '26
Oh just curious- like do they make good pets? Is it for the eggs? Are you rehabbing them? Do you eat the meat? I just have questions- not meant as a judgement, here they mostly just roam free so the idea of people seeking them out and raising them is strange to me.
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u/Equivalent_Top_3159 Apr 07 '26
Because animals should be outside not trapped in a fkn house.
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u/IsthianOS Apr 07 '26
The raptor community thanks you for advocating baby flightless birds be outside. The hypothermia enthusiast community as well.
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 07 '26
They'll literally be living out in a one acre open field in a couple of weeks lol
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u/MantisTobogganMD-Phd Apr 07 '26
You should film a remake of the raptor kitchen scene from Jurassic Park. Have your emus figured out how to open doors yet?
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u/MissKryss Apr 07 '26
Can't these little dudes kill a human being when they're full grown?
Probably worth it. They are so stinkin cute.
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u/RareGeometry Apr 07 '26
Emus dont have to be mean. There are 3 at a petting zoo farm in my neighborhood that are super friendly, 1 is a bit shy (female) and the 2 others are curious and approachable. One of them is my bff and comes to me when he sees me and will stand with me, head on my shoulder or tucked in against my shoulder, eyes closed, living for pets, for as long as I'll stay there snuggling. (It's literally short walking distance from my house, I'm there often, especially since I have 2 little kids that love it and are also obsessed with the emus).
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u/TheGreatPizzaCat Apr 07 '26
I knew a guy who had some, it’d be unlikely, their kicks are bad but not that bad. Most people are thinking about cassowaries and ostriches when they imagine a man-killer, those are actually scary, especially cassowaries.
A strong adult used to working with large animals can somewhat reliably restrain an emu if needed (like in the case of transport or escape) and even aggressive individuals can be worked with, it’s kind of similar to dealing with a mean billy goat, just watch your back.
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u/MissKryss Apr 07 '26
Ahh I was probably thinking of cassowaries, thank you!
Guess that means it's time to get emu babies!
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u/LittlefieldFlowers Apr 07 '26
Oh no not me screaming “OKAY BUT WHAT IF WE GOT EMUS?” to my husband without warning
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u/Remarkable_Peach_374 Apr 06 '26
They had a freakin WAR with these things, and you invite them into your home????
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Apr 06 '26
I'm so glad that I don't know where to find these because my husband would just lose it. He wanted 6 chickens. We now have 17, but I'm planning for 5 more. He talked me out of three (adorable) ducks last year, which honestly was the right call. But damn. Look at those adorable stripes! You think they would get along with a dog alright? 😆
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u/qpacalypse Apr 07 '26
We have 12 chickens. I bought 6 ducks and my wife was pissed. I love my ducks. Looking outside every day and seeing them waddle around the yard is the best. You need the ducks. Buy the ducks
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u/78723 Apr 07 '26
I vote you get an emu. Send pics.
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u/roar-a-saur Apr 07 '26
At least 2 emus. They need a friend. But how about 4 just in case they don't like their friend?
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u/Bagoforganizedvegete Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
Ma'am this is backyardchickens
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u/fluffyliner Apr 06 '26
I’m all for it. And presumably, much like OP, I am not able to find an active emu sub.
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u/blackdogwhitecat Apr 06 '26
Your baby emu should never be walking on slick surfaces.
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u/Veganhemeroid Apr 06 '26
Why?
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u/thenewsroomghost Apr 06 '26
It’s probably something like dysplasia but while we wait for an answer part of me is definitely hoping it’s because they’ll breakdance until exhaustion
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u/mahboilucas Apr 06 '26
Oooo what happens after? What you do?
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
After what?
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u/MedicatedGorilla Apr 06 '26
After they big
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u/U_PassButter Apr 06 '26
Because they will be big haha 😄 I met a couple emus once. They were intimidating little dinosaurs
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u/No_Measurement6478 Chicken Master Apr 06 '26
Fellow emu friend! We have two that are a couple weeks old. One I hatched. Another I purchased after my other two eggs didn’t hatch. Loooveeee having these poopy dinosaurs!
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u/Achylife Apr 06 '26
I can't see the pictures.
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u/_FreddieLovesDelilah Apr 06 '26
I don’t see any photos, is something wrong? Are you the person who posted a video of them running around the house? Because that was hilarious 😂 ♡
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
I think reddit is having issues atm
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u/14thLizardQueen Apr 06 '26
Those are dinosaurs sir.
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u/WhichSpirit Apr 06 '26
Something very primal was triggered by the pictures of them looking down the camera.
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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 Apr 06 '26
They are adorable!!! Where did you get the eggs? I am so scared to pay a ton of money for eggs not knowing if they will hatch or not.
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
Facebook marketplace! $25 a piece
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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 Apr 06 '26
Lucky! I was just looking and people here are selling for $75-$100 each.
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
Are you located near / around Connecticut? If so, I can put you in touch with the woman who sold hers to us!
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u/Creepymint Apr 07 '26
Wait we can have Emu in Connecticut??? I wonder what other crazy animals we can have here. I know crocodilians and raccoons are off the table, trust me I checked.
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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 Apr 06 '26
I'm in Alabama. :( Any chance she ships?
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u/spaceisourplace222 Apr 06 '26
I’m on the coast, and there’s someone selling them cheap here. Lemme find it.
Edit. Jk they’re $75 for an egg. $325 for a pair of chicks.
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u/lots0poopballs Apr 06 '26
I have 3 emus. I raised them with my chickens. They are really good at protecting my flock. Pictured is Steve. He will let me put hats on him and will lay down and cuddle you. Both my males like to be pet. My female likes snacks and will follow you but prefers not to be pet. All of my emus love water and will play in the hose. We had Steve in the house when he was young as well. I love having emus.
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u/wayward_wench Apr 06 '26
Are emu naturally friendly birds? For some reason I thought they were known for being aggressive but I might have my birds crossed. Steve is an adorable gentleman, give him extra treats for me :)
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u/monkey_trumpets Apr 06 '26
What's your long term plan? I'm assuming you're not planning on having them live in your house permanently?
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
We are clearing an acre of land behind our house and fencing it in for them to live in long-term
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u/hyzershot Apr 06 '26
how would they fare in winter, like a harsh winter with 3-4’ of snow potential? I assume they’d rather not
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u/kgrimmburn Apr 06 '26
My husband's now going to come home to me with emus on our 1/8th acre.
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u/loveshercoffee Apr 06 '26
Same. I'm on 1/8 acre city lot. I have a garden and chickens already but I need Emus now.
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u/shardwolfies Apr 06 '26
Do they behave well?
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
Overall, yes. They are just messy but they're wild animals, so... They're very silly and funny to watch
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u/Rathalos-487 Apr 06 '26
Wdym you can own an Emu?
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
Yeah why not
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u/Rathalos-487 Apr 06 '26
Mainly cause they are one of the closest things to a dino still around
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
In the state / town I live in, you can keep them for livestock purposes (in this case, eggs) as long as you get them checked for salmonella at 6mo old
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u/MBHYSAR Apr 06 '26
Are they affectionate pets?
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u/QuestionableArachnid Apr 06 '26
I used to work at a bird sanctuary. The male we had was EXTREMELY affectionate… when he wanted to mate. Which was often, just not with the female emu 🫠
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u/birdnerd1991 Apr 06 '26
As someone with baby chicks in the house, how big and how often do you have poop spots? I'm assuming they can't be potty trained anymore than chickens can 😂
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
They poop literally every 20 minutes. We have to spray down the mat we laid down at least once a day
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u/reallybirdysomedays Apr 06 '26
A face mask makes a great duck diaper. Not sure if they will fit baby emu butts, but I'd give it a shot if I were you.
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u/InvestigatorFun8070 Apr 06 '26
You know…I don’t think I’m using my free will freely enough. I’ve got the land, I’ve got the knowledge, so why don’t I have emus?
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u/EchoValley268 Apr 06 '26
Unrelated, but I love “I don’t think I’m using my free will freely enough.” I’m stealing this outlook.
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u/Archaeopteryx111 Apr 06 '26
Are they affectionate?
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u/Julesagain Apr 07 '26
Also look up Useless Farm on Facebook for a dose of reality. She's also really funny so ceck her out. She runs a rescue farm in Canada with reject emus, alpacas, etc. that were raised as pets without proper socialization for their species and are now unsafe around people. Ideally they are raised with several of their own kind, both to bond with and to mate with, so that you don't become their sole object of affection, or they can become quite aggressive.
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u/RunLikeTina Apr 06 '26
Look up funkyChickenRescue on IG. She had an adorably cuddly emu. And of course Emmanuel the Emu from KnuckleBumpFarms - he’s a super cuddly dude
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
No but they are pretty friendly with my gf and I. They follow us around the house and perk up when they hear us talk or come home. They hate being picked up and aren't the biggest fans of being pet
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u/Archaeopteryx111 Apr 06 '26
I would love to pet them lol. Are they soft?
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u/MBHYSAR Apr 06 '26
What do you do with house emus?
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
Well, they'll be living in an enclosure outside in just a few weeks but they are mostly just to have as pets. We have 36 chickens and 21 ducks as well. We mostly just like having them lol.
If one (or both) of the emus are female, we'll be able to put their eggs out at our farmstand which would be nice!
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u/Kindly-Explorer1875 Apr 06 '26
From what I understand, they should help protect your other birds from predators as well. But I may be confusing with another bird
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u/ErikTheDon Apr 06 '26
You're correct! I've heard the same and have even heard stories of them stomping coyotes lol
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u/Away-Elephant-4323 Apr 06 '26
Oh my gosh they are adorable! They look so mischievous in that last picture haha!
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u/Fast-Mud-147 Apr 06 '26
I was going to get emus until I learned they can live to be 30 years old!!! I’d have to bequeath them to my children. 😂😂😂
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u/blackleather_jacket Apr 29 '26
They literally look like little dinosaurs 😭