Preparing Emu pasture

[ThiefPouter06]

Are there any known poisonous plants/trees that should not be in emu pastures? I have a lot thats 80ft by 65ft with a very nice 8ft x 16ft pole shed (thinking of a pair). It is nicely shaded by a grove of walnut trees. The fence is 52in heavy livestock panels, most of them grown into walnut tree trunks (amazing what can happen in three years). To add the needed 20 inches of fence would a few strands of heavy guage barbless wire be ok? Lots of blackberry brambles and honeysuckle growing in the fence row. Any suggestions would be good. I also have almost two acres of overgrown pasture/young forest to eventually fence in.
Matt

 

[chickenzoo]

Anything that would be poisonous to other animals would also be for the emu.Here in FL we have those bush plants that have purple berries that the wild birds eat- but not good for emu or other critters - can't remember name.... Also Emu will pick up anything shiny or colorful - good or bad. They do not tend to use shelters when adults, but lay under trees, in a favorite corner or with other animals. I would not use any type of wire to extend the height of your fence, thick electrified Hot tape would be a better choice, although often electric doesn't work well on them, but it would give a better visual barrier and less likely to fatally wound one caught up in it. If emu have enough space they can stay in a 4-5ft fence, they mostly challenge it when attacked by another emu or chasing another animal.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

My emu did stay in the shelter at night & during rain. They would lat on a huge pile of straw I had in the barn overhang. Watch them carefully when the walnuts hit the ground. they'll more than likely try to eat them since..... they are Emu.

 

[ThiefPouter06]

So would the "hot tape" have to be electrified? Perhaps a roll of two foot tall welded, woven wire would be good too? Maybe even wooden boards?

How big are just hatched emu? I know that my livestock panel has 6in x 8in mesh (big enough for chickens to squeeze through.) Could young ones get out? At what age do raccoons and possums stop being a threat? I guess to put that all in one question, if I was to get a pair of a few day old emu what is the best thing to keep them in at night while they are still small enough for night time prowlers to get them?

I like to do alot of research before I invest in an animal.

 

[chickenzoo]

Baby emu are about the size of a Silkie chicken at about 2 weeks old. I keep mine inside for some time in a rubbermaid container with heat lamp, then move them out to the garage in either a very big dog crate or I put down a indoor outdoor carpet remnant, and use those baby play pen panels to fence them in for a few months . Then I move them out to a large dog kennel with a igloo house until they were about 3 -4 ft tall. then they were less likely to fall prey to things. it all depends on your location and predators, but it will take awhile to get big enough. You don't have to electrify it, just use as a visual barrier, but if you can use welded wire or boards, then even better. i have corral panels, and when the two males get ticked at each other, they can almost go over it fighting each other - otherwise they don't even try. They can however scoot under the corral panels - little buggers.

 

[ThiefPouter06]

So really I can just fence in the large opening of my shed until they get big enough to turn loose. The opening is about 5foot by 7foot. I think I will work on their accomidations until next year. What time of the year are emus available as hatchlings?

 

[Supreme Emu]

Hmmm . . . Emu Hugger says emus can get UNDER fences. I've wondered about this, that is, how emus (and kangaroos) 'cross' the fences of my property. I've seen them simply 'surf' over barbed wire at speed when panicked, but has anyone seen an emu get on its knees and sneak under a fence?

Supreme Emu

 

[chickenzoo]

My male emu loves my peacocks.... when they are in a pen and can't get out. He will lay with his head under the corral panel that divides the two pastures, which is only what.....1ft of the ground if that? He will then scoot his body under the bar and then WA LA, he's on the other side. Mine will often follow me or the other animals while walking on their "knees". they do this a lot. I can touch their backs and tell them down and they will lay down for me. Perhaps it is more a domestic emu thing?

i know you've all seen these a hundred times............. but I love them....

 

[Supreme Emu]

Thank you, Emu Hugger. Your answer is interesting and helpful.

 

[Whispering Winds]

The full face shot is just hilarious!!!! I LOVE it!!!!!