A loud noise, a strange animal or a myriad of other things can set an emu into a full-blown rampage. All it takes is a toe-hold in the fence and suddenly they have toppled over it and, then, emus do what they do best… they RUN!
An emu on a busy highway is extremely dangerous. With those long legs, if an adult emu is hit by a car at high speeds that bird can end up in the front seat of the car. The impact alone could kill someone. If the bird is not dead, it will start thrashing around and flailing its legs causing considerable damage to anything it comes in contact with, including the driver and his passengers. This is the perfect set-up for a law suit.
If an emu doesn’t end up on the highway, it can still create a lawsuit for its owner with staggering legal fees, whether they win or lose the suit. And… personal injuries can happen while trying to catch and return these big, powerful birds back to their homes.
Fencing does more than just partition the farm. Good fencing is attributed to fewer livestock-vehicle accidents, which can be a major problem on public roads that border farmland.
Most states implement laws that dictate fencing and the extent of the farmer’s liability in case their livestock gets loose and causes injury or property damage.
Generally, the farm owner is liable for “ALL” injuries and damages caused by their loose livestock unless they can prove that the fence was in good condition, that it was adequate for the animal confined, and that there was no negligence on the part of the owner. In most states, it’s a statutory obligation for farmers to ensure that their animals don’t escape their premises.
Once an emu is loose, unless it wanders home on its own, it must be caught in order to return it to its pen. This can be very difficult to achieve.
FENCING
PEN PLANS – Corridors between pens give access and ease of moving from pen to pen. Wagon Wheel layout is another alternative for emus.
a. Chick Pens – No more that 10-12 per pen. After 2 weeks pf age they should have access to outdoor runs, sunlight, food, and shelter that blocks the wind and rain with heat lamps.
b. 3-Month-Old Pens (when their stripes have nearly faded) – They need to be moved to another pen as they may injure any smaller chicks. This pen should be long and narrow to allow them to run and exercise.
c. Yearling Pens – Long narrow pens are recommended. Some feel that larger pens are better as they will be less stressed and become more productive adults
d. Breeder Pens – Long and narrow or wagon wheel designs are recommended. Emus are not as aggressive as ostrich so, round corners are not necessary.
TYPES OF FENCING “NOT” RECOMMENDED FOR AN EMU ENCLOSURE
1. 4’ or 5’ high fences
2. wooden board fencing (easy to get over or through)
3. barbed wire fences (cuts & tears the skin when an emu goes through it)
4. cattle panel fences (ridged, can tear skin at edges when rubbed against)
5. Large Hole Fences – Sticking an emu’s head or foot through a fence can end with a broken neck or leg.
6. welded wire fencing (wires break after repeated collisions and can poke into an emu’s skin and flesh when rubbed against).
RECOMMENDED WIRE FENCING
- 6’ high no-climb horse fence.
“Red Brand Fencing Guide” – Red Brand makes the 2”x4” No-climb Horse Fence. They published an emu and ostrich fencing instruction booklet back in 1997. The company has graciously given the AEA permission to use this booklet and post it here,
“Ostrich and Emu Fencing Guide” – https://aea-emu.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/KEYSTONE-RED-BRAND-FENCING-GUIDE-.pdf .
b. chain link fencing. Many people recommend 6’ high dog kennel panels for gates.
Birds Will Be Birds – Emus and ostrich will test the limits of any fence. The “Red Brand Fencing Book” states that its strong, 2”x4” steel mesh, woven wire fencing, prevents frightened birds from stepping through, walking down, or getting over this fencing. It flexes with impact preventing injury to the bird or fence. It’s made with 12 ½ gauge galvanized steel line wires and 10 gauge (larger size) top and bottom wires that withstand everyday wear and tear.
Each week Google Alert has articles from across the United States about emus that have escaped their pens. Don’t let “your” emu be the subject of the next article that is written about an emu on the loose.
Keep in mind – “THE COST OF PROPER FENCING IS FAR LESS THAN A LAWSUIT”!