his nest of adopted goose, duck, and chicken eggs
June 28, 2022 9:50 AM Subscribe
"This emu has taken over the duck coop and is now diligently siting on goose eggs. I just watched a chicken run in, burrow under him, lay an egg, and leave." [Twitter thread with photos]
BROODY DAD
posted by Going To Maine at 10:03 AM on June 28, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Going To Maine at 10:03 AM on June 28, 2022 [5 favorites]
I’m confused. They’ve hatched. Are they geese or emus? They don’t look like geese to me.
posted by amanda at 10:13 AM on June 28, 2022
posted by amanda at 10:13 AM on June 28, 2022
I believe that the eggs that have hatched are emus. There are just a lot of other eggs under the emu dad as well.
posted by Going To Maine at 10:17 AM on June 28, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by Going To Maine at 10:17 AM on June 28, 2022 [6 favorites]
I get why a broody emu would sit on any available eggs, but I’m a bit surprised that a hen picked up on the opportunity.
If more than one species hatches, that’s going to be a complicated little flock to care for.
posted by clew at 10:18 AM on June 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
If more than one species hatches, that’s going to be a complicated little flock to care for.
posted by clew at 10:18 AM on June 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
Needed this. Thank you :)
posted by Flight Hardware, do not touch at 10:52 AM on June 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Flight Hardware, do not touch at 10:52 AM on June 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Omg I’m feeling that chicken so hard rn.
Take my kids freeeee babysittinggggggggg
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:27 AM on June 28, 2022 [15 favorites]
Take my kids freeeee babysittinggggggggg
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:27 AM on June 28, 2022 [15 favorites]
I just had a thought: is this what species Big Bird is?
- large
- long neck
- shaggy feathers
- affinity for the young
posted by amtho at 11:49 AM on June 28, 2022 [12 favorites]
- large
- long neck
- shaggy feathers
- affinity for the young
posted by amtho at 11:49 AM on June 28, 2022 [12 favorites]
This is what happens when you bring an emu to a goose fight.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:50 AM on June 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:50 AM on June 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
“This emu has taken over the duck coop”
Proper response: “The cat sleeps in the sink.” It’s just a very basic code.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:55 PM on June 28, 2022 [21 favorites]
Proper response: “The cat sleeps in the sink.” It’s just a very basic code.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:55 PM on June 28, 2022 [21 favorites]
Wow, you can really feel the dinosaur in those video clips. Like, don’t get me wrong, he also looks like a giant fluffy pillow and a very good dad, but holy moly is he ever not my dad.
posted by Mizu at 1:32 PM on June 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 1:32 PM on June 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
Wow, you can really feel the dinosaur
try feeding some chickens fresh blackberries. they are SAVAGE!!!
posted by supermedusa at 1:41 PM on June 28, 2022 [7 favorites]
try feeding some chickens fresh blackberries. they are SAVAGE!!!
posted by supermedusa at 1:41 PM on June 28, 2022 [7 favorites]
Omg the babies are going to be very surprised when they try to nurse!!!
posted by rebent at 2:33 PM on June 28, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by rebent at 2:33 PM on June 28, 2022 [6 favorites]
Wow, you can really feel the dinosaur
Have you ever seen an emu up close? The first time I got personal with an emu, my first thought was basically “that is a dinosaur.” Especially their feet/legs.
posted by gnutron at 4:15 PM on June 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
Have you ever seen an emu up close? The first time I got personal with an emu, my first thought was basically “that is a dinosaur.” Especially their feet/legs.
posted by gnutron at 4:15 PM on June 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
Omg the babies are going to be very surprised when they try to nurse!!!
Who’s nursing? Are there puppies under there, too?
posted by Comet Bug at 4:55 PM on June 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
Who’s nursing? Are there puppies under there, too?
posted by Comet Bug at 4:55 PM on June 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
I just had a thought: is this what species Big Bird is?
This article from the Audubon Society details what our most thorough scientists think on the subject. TLDR? Probably not emu because they don’t have wings and Big Bird clearly has wings, with fingers no less.
posted by Mizu at 5:00 PM on June 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
This article from the Audubon Society details what our most thorough scientists think on the subject. TLDR? Probably not emu because they don’t have wings and Big Bird clearly has wings, with fingers no less.
posted by Mizu at 5:00 PM on June 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
Omg the babies are going to be very surprised when they try to nurse!!!
I'd like to point you to elementary school lessons on species. Birds don't nurse, they don't have teats. Parents often regurgitate food into their younglings mouths, but no milk or breasts are involved with any of the species in this video.
posted by hippybear at 5:36 PM on June 28, 2022
I'd like to point you to elementary school lessons on species. Birds don't nurse, they don't have teats. Parents often regurgitate food into their younglings mouths, but no milk or breasts are involved with any of the species in this video.
posted by hippybear at 5:36 PM on June 28, 2022
Next fox that shows up there is gonna get a hell of a surprise.
posted by notoriety public at 5:49 PM on June 28, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by notoriety public at 5:49 PM on June 28, 2022 [7 favorites]
In a later post, the poster said that he moved the goose eggs to an available goose, and at least some of the other eggs had vanished, probably due to predators sneaking in and stealing them.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 6:14 PM on June 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Mister Moofoo at 6:14 PM on June 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
This article from the Audubon Society details what our most thorough scientists think on the subject. TLDR? Probably not emu because they don’t have wings and Big Bird clearly has wings, with fingers no less.
I can't help but wonder why that scientist focused only on flightless birds. Just because we've never seen Big Bird fly, ought we to assume that he *can't* fly? Maybe he chooses not to, or does it privately out of consideration for his many flightless friends.
posted by amtho at 6:23 PM on June 28, 2022 [7 favorites]
I can't help but wonder why that scientist focused only on flightless birds. Just because we've never seen Big Bird fly, ought we to assume that he *can't* fly? Maybe he chooses not to, or does it privately out of consideration for his many flightless friends.
posted by amtho at 6:23 PM on June 28, 2022 [7 favorites]
I spent time on a friend's farm during the Spring (aka The Season of The Eggpocalypse) and one corner of the barn had a nesting spot that was sat upon, variously, by a goose, a chicken and a duck, without regard for whose eggs (if any) were there. To top it off there was a rooster who perched above, guarding this weird menagerie. Broody birds are weird.
posted by WaylandSmith at 7:57 PM on June 28, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by WaylandSmith at 7:57 PM on June 28, 2022 [7 favorites]
Big Bird can't fly because he is still a young child. I think he's five. I remember an episode where he was practicing flying by flapping his wings. He's just too little to fly yet.
posted by tllaya at 9:22 PM on June 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by tllaya at 9:22 PM on June 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
He's just too little to fly yet.
So adult Big Birds are bigger than the 2.5 m tall Big Bird?!
Is...is Sesame Street a post apocalyptic setting? Is it the only street left? The rest of the populace was picked off by enormous bright yellow raptors?
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:33 PM on June 28, 2022 [12 favorites]
So adult Big Birds are bigger than the 2.5 m tall Big Bird?!
Is...is Sesame Street a post apocalyptic setting? Is it the only street left? The rest of the populace was picked off by enormous bright yellow raptors?
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:33 PM on June 28, 2022 [12 favorites]
but no milk or breasts are involved with any of the species in this video
everyone knows chickens have breasts
posted by ryanrs at 10:28 PM on June 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
everyone knows chickens have breasts
posted by ryanrs at 10:28 PM on June 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
In a later post, the poster said that he moved the goose eggs to an available goose
She. On top of raising emu, yaks, bees, a very polite vulture, an incredibly opinionated kestrel who loves Game of Thrones and assorted farm animals, Foxfeather is also a wildlife rehabilitator and does amazing bird-of-prey pins and earrings.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 10:44 PM on June 28, 2022 [10 favorites]
She. On top of raising emu, yaks, bees, a very polite vulture, an incredibly opinionated kestrel who loves Game of Thrones and assorted farm animals, Foxfeather is also a wildlife rehabilitator and does amazing bird-of-prey pins and earrings.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 10:44 PM on June 28, 2022 [10 favorites]
> try feeding some chickens fresh blackberries. they are SAVAGE!!!
we used to catch grasshoppers for the chick pen. looked like rugby!
posted by Clowder of bats at 11:38 PM on June 28, 2022 [5 favorites]
we used to catch grasshoppers for the chick pen. looked like rugby!
posted by Clowder of bats at 11:38 PM on June 28, 2022 [5 favorites]
I always thought Big Bird was supposed to be a Golden Condor? Not sure where I read this.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 2:43 AM on June 29, 2022
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 2:43 AM on June 29, 2022
Forgetting about Big Bird's cousins?
Also 'as rare as hen's teeth' has now been replaced by 'emu titties'. hee.
posted by bartleby at 2:58 AM on June 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also 'as rare as hen's teeth' has now been replaced by 'emu titties'. hee.
posted by bartleby at 2:58 AM on June 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
So adult Big Birds are bigger than the 2.5 m tall Big Bird?!My understanding is that most birds reach their adult size and then develop their adult plumage. For one example, look at these tall penguin chicks.
posted by fantabulous timewaster at 4:26 AM on June 29, 2022
bartleby: So Big Bird says he's a canary. Should we believe him?
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 4:46 AM on June 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 4:46 AM on June 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
The rest of the populace was picked off by enormous bright yellow raptors?
Might not be yellow - ducklings and chicks are often yellow but age into other colors. Big Bird's just biding his time.
(I always found him a little terrifying)
posted by trig at 4:55 AM on June 29, 2022
Might not be yellow - ducklings and chicks are often yellow but age into other colors. Big Bird's just biding his time.
(I always found him a little terrifying)
posted by trig at 4:55 AM on June 29, 2022
just imagine an emu upchucking 15 lbs of emu food into the baby bird mouths.... wow
posted by rebent at 5:24 AM on June 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by rebent at 5:24 AM on June 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
I claim sanctuary,
I knew the whole time I was writing that comment that I was bound to get something wrong, and yet I still didn’t go back and fact check myself. Pointless laziness on my part.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 7:09 AM on June 29, 2022
I knew the whole time I was writing that comment that I was bound to get something wrong, and yet I still didn’t go back and fact check myself. Pointless laziness on my part.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 7:09 AM on June 29, 2022
This reminds me of sweet Stanley from Useless Farm, who kinda understands what to do with Karen's eggs.
(And then there's Karen, who fully affirms the dinosaur thing.)
posted by Lyn Never at 7:33 AM on June 29, 2022 [5 favorites]
(And then there's Karen, who fully affirms the dinosaur thing.)
posted by Lyn Never at 7:33 AM on June 29, 2022 [5 favorites]
I've found chickens love snails. But I had to make sure that there were enough to distribute to all of the chickens, otherwise there would be a strange (and entertaining) race as one chicken tried to keep its prize that the other 2 wanted.
And during the drama, there would be about 4 unnoticed snails laboriously escaping while the chickens raced around.
posted by coberh at 9:57 PM on June 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
And during the drama, there would be about 4 unnoticed snails laboriously escaping while the chickens raced around.
posted by coberh at 9:57 PM on June 29, 2022 [2 favorites]
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posted by supermedusa at 10:01 AM on June 28, 2022 [2 favorites]