A freshly hatched emu chick needs to be kept at 90 degrees. ALWAYS maintain their ability to choose to move away from the heat source. For their first few days our chicks stay in a brooder box where I can better control their temperature and monitor them. At the beginning of each week thereafter, the temperature may be reduced by 5 degrees. By week two the chicks will thrive at 80 degrees at the heat source. By three weeks 75 degrees and so on. Until they are acclimated to your weather and have their first set of feathers your babies need a warm dry draft free place they can retreat to. What we do: I use a chick brooder plate on risers in the corner of their pen. Set at about two inches taller than the chicks back when standing. Draped securely with a blanket/towel so it creates a nice cozy "daddy". Underneath the brooder plate area I have a seed germination mat which creates a heated floor covered by a layer or two of chuck pads. The temperature reaches 90 degrees in the deepest corner which allows them to adjust to their needs freely. I use this set up until they no longer use it or have gotten too big which happens fast. Feel free to ask for photos until I am able to upload some :)

We follow the Emu Island Diet that can be seen under "What do emus eat?"