2014 Pen Expansion Project Completed!

[ES Emus]

Our annual pen expansion has been completed. We added over 1250 square feet to our two largest emu pens!

 

[EmuChemainusBC]

Looks really good. Are these breeding pair pens or grow outs? Can you tell us a little more about the type of fencing?

 

[ES Emus]

Thanks, the hardest part was getting grass to grow after the winter wheat was harvested. Despite the recent brush with Hurricane Andrew, the soil is still very dry and packed. These are dual purpose pens. The perimeter fencing is permanent and the interior fencing is semi-mobile. We open the pens up to the maximum space during the Spring and Summer seasons, then subdivide the pens during the breeding and grow out periods. We always keep at least one extra (isolation) pen open in case one or more of the birds starts to get picked on. Our fencing consists of 6' tall welded wire, framed at the top and the bottom with 8-12' salt treated 2" x 4"s and secured to 8' wooden posts which are buried 2' deep. The top framing prevents the birds from pushing down the fencing and scaling it after a running start and the bottom framing helps prevent potential predators from digging under the fencing to get to the birds. The framing also keeps the wire fencing taut.

 

[EmuChemainusBC]

Very helpful detail, thanks. We are thinking about reducing the size (length) of our breeding pair pens (now 30x110) when egg laying is close. ie being able to enclose the pairs in a smaller area so that we can improve the conditions where the birds lay their eggs. We ae in BC and winter is very wet and results in muddy conditions. Can you give an idea of how large your pens are for the two seasons? Do you have an enclosure to keep the feed dry? We are also going to reduce the width as they don't seem to use it anyway.

 

[ES Emus]

Very helpful detail, thanks. We are thinking about reducing the size (length) of our breeding pair pens (now 30x110) when egg laying is close. ie being able to enclose the pairs in a smaller area so that we can improve the conditions where the birds lay their eggs. We ae in BC and winter is very wet and results in muddy conditions. Can you give an idea of how large your pens are for the two seasons? Do you have an enclosure to keep the feed dry? We are also going to reduce the width as they don't seem to use it anyway.

Sure, our largest pens are approximately 160' x 80' when opened up, then split into 160' x 40' pens during the breeding/laying season.

 

[EmuChemainusBC]

thanks ES