For those of you who don’t know the emu back-story, here it is in brief. We got our first little emu as a chick and he bonded with the other babies – ducks, geese and turkeys, and with me. I named him Emery. I bought him from a hobby farmer who said all of Emery’s brothers and sisters had been bought and he was lonely.
I subsequently bought a couple more emu chicks from another hobby farmer, so we had three little Emerys. But, as they were, like all of the other birds, free-ranging, I lost all three to a fox in one afternoon, when they wandered off into a back paddock. It’s difficult to describe the horror I felt at the time.
Fast forward a bit: I then found a proper emu farmer who was willing to bring me six adolescent emus and, yes, I named them all ‘Emery’. It took me awhile to tame them, and we have lost three – one on arrival, one to digestive problems and another to paralysis (again, all of this was horrifying for me), but the remaining three are wonderfully happy and settled.
Several of my previous posts include various emu stories and other pictures, but the exciting news now is that, because the proper emu farmer ‘owes’ me a chick, I will soon be getting another baby Emery and this time I will be much more careful.
jmgoyder 
Oh, I can’t wait to see the new baby!
Me too!
There really isn’t much you can do to protect them from foxes is there? They’re too big to pen up in a hen house…and even in the daytime if your back is turned, there’s always the danger of a fox coming along. And then there are all the other things they can die of. Makes it a precious life for the survivors. They’re sure cute.
These 3 are now big enough to scare the foxes (I hope!) The biggest problem now is that they like to wander off when we let them out, like toddlers do!!!
I just looked again and noticed that they have a fenced yard so they’d be safe (as long as they don’t get out).
Yes, but I want to get the small paddock the alpacas stay (esp. during nights) re-fortified for the emus because there’s more grass there – soon hopefully. In the meantime we will just have to ‘walk’ the emus!
Been wondering when you were going to tell us a bit more about the Emerys. They’re my favorites of all your birds you know. Shhhhhhhhhh… Don’t tell Godfrey I said that. 😉
~ Lynda
Don’t worry – I won’t tell Godfrey!
Woohoo, babes, a comin…:) So excited for you!
Hi,
A new baby to add to the family that is fantastic. 😀
I can’t wait!
We tried to buy emus many years ago. It was a scam and we lost $1000. Such is life. Glad to know there are some good, honest emu people around. 🙂 I can’t say they are pretty birds, but all mamas love their babies. 🙂
What do you mean they aren’t pretty? Hahaha!
Love those Emus. They always make for a great story when they act out the Great Escape! Good luck with the Emery, but I’m sure you’ll be a great mum 🙂
What’s it like to have tame emus?
Oh don’t remind me of their Great Escape – hehe! They are very furry and flighty (metaphorically – obviously they can’t fly) – I adore them.
Sad you lost so many emus. The first photo of the chick is sooooo adorable. What a cutie! Looking forward to seeing photos of the new chick when you get him/her.
Yes, when an emu falls down and can’t get up again (very like with a cow), the situation becomes quite dire. It’s a bit of a paradox and a mystery to me because they are actually very strong and sturdy.
New babies!! What can be more delightful… excited for you! Great photos 🙂
Yeah I took those photos a while ago. I am better at photographing now – sort of!
😉 You amaze me in so many ways ~ xo
Ditto!
Photos looked great, Julie.
Can’t wait to see a photo of the new baby when it arrives.
They are soooooo cute when they’re small – shame they grow up to be so big.
I admit to getting a little scared of them at the open range area of Melbourne Zoo (which reminds me that I got another emu photo on Monday – will post it soon).
Yes, I have just done quite a bit of research so that this time I will be ready and prepared for various contingencies! I know what you mean about emus being a bit scary when they are full grown – very sharp claws!
I was told that they were aggressive birds, but the emerys look friendly enough to me
They are probably quite aggressive in the wild but ours are so gentle! Thank you so much for your comment – I really appreciate it.
They’re not the best looking of birds, are they? A face only a mother could love 🙂
What do you mean, Tilly – they are gorgeous – hahahaha!
As their surrogate mother, you may be slightly biased 🙂
Yeah but look at their beautiful little faces – ha! Thanks Tilly – Jx
I hope the foxes stay away from the new baby. I think they are adorable 🙂
Thanks TBM – I will be very careful with my new baby/babies. I know it sounds a bit weird but, as they are bred now for slaughter, I don’t have a problem with getting a couple of pet emus. It’s probably a bit controversial but I hope not! Julie
They are so lovely but also seem so funny too… I loved these photographs, and yes, I am impatient to see the new babies… Thank you dear Julie, with my love, nia
I just found out it might be a few weeks before I get the baby – I will let you know!
Do they have a very powerful kick like ostriches?
Yes – but they don’t kick me thank goodness!
I had no idea emu chicks were striped like that. They are adorable!
They’re cute aren’t they! I just added you to my blogroll – sorry not to have done so sooner!
I didn’t know that the Emu chicks have stripes like Zebra.
Only when they are little!
It must be LOTS of fun being Mum to all your birds, but especially the emus. They look prehistoric, like having dinosaurs in the garden 🙂
You are right! I am about to go out an feed the dinos!
The Emu chicks are soooo cute! Can’t wait to see pics of the new one!
I get two in around 4 weeks! I decided on two so they can be company for each other.
They are so cute!!!