Emu raised by chicken in Surrey's unexpected family bond
- Shrub, an emu chick, was found abandoned and cold in her nest in Surrey, UK.
- Nugget, a Bantam Hen at Birdworld, raised Shrub and taught her essential life skills.
- Shrub has successfully reintegrated with her parents after being nurtured by a chicken, demonstrating the adaptability of animals.
In Surrey, United Kingdom, an emu chick named Shrub was found abandoned by her parents, leading to her rescue and subsequent upbringing by an unexpected foster mother, a Bantam Hen named Nugget. At just four days old, Shrub was discovered cold and neglected in a nest, prompting caregivers at Birdworld to intervene. Nugget took on the nurturing role, teaching Shrub essential skills including walking and eating, which were crucial for her development. As time passed, Shrub grew bigger and her keepers began reconsidering how to facilitate a reunion with her biological parents, Forest and Mathilda. Due to the potential danger posed by adult emus, who can be reactive and defensive, it was necessary to introduce Shrub to her parents in a controlled manner. Ultimately, the keepers devised a strategy to allow Shrub to approach her parents from outside their enclosure, ensuring her safety during gradual interactions. Throughout this period, Shrub acclimated to her identity as an emu while still maintaining familiarity with her human caregivers, who provided her with enrichment activities to foster her growth. The careful reintroduction process lasted several months, highlighting the nuances of animal behavior and care. Now residing with her parents full-time, Shrub exhibits a unique upbringing, having been nurtured by a chicken for a significant portion of her early life. This story underscores the adaptability of animals and the remarkable bond that can form across species in caregiving roles.