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Emus are good high jumpers and can jump above 4 feet fence. Therefore a fence of 6 feet high is adequate for emus. On the other hand ostriches seldom try to jump over the fence, therefore a height of 4 feet fence is sufficient.
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Plastic fence, and wind break can be used to create temporary divisions in outdoor pens. Very young chicks can easily get out through the holes in game-wire fencing (and small predators can get in). Therefore, when chicks are small, the bottom 1-1/2 to 2 feet should be temporarily blocked of this kind of fencing.
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The fence should not have any areas where the bird could stick its head or foot through to get caught. Alley way of 5 feet or more between two pens can be allowed. The pens should be arranged in such a way that the movement of birds from one pen to the other is easy. A loading ramp is necessary in the farm to load the birds for selling in trucks.
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Emu and ostrich tend to rub against the fence.There fore barbed wire fence should not be used as this can tear up their hides, hurt them and decrease the value of the leather in slaughter birds. Commonly used fencing materials are listed below.
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Chain link (2-inch by 2-inch)
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Woven 2"x4" non-climbable fencing makes a safe and secure fence for both emus and ostrich. Strong 12½ gauge galvanized steel wires are used with heavier galvanized 10 gauge wires on the top and bottom edges give emu and ostrich fence additional strength. The mesh is flexible enough to allow for ease of erection over uneven land.
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Welded mesh of 2" X 2" or 4" X2" size,
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For ostriches 4-5 strands of 8 gauge smooth wire is sufficient with posts spaced 10 feet apart; however, this is not advisable for emus, as they may escape through the gaps.
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Cattle panels with wire on the outside
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A combination of 6’ round posts and 2’ steel tubes can also be used as fencing
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Chicken wire mesh can be used for chick pens
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Electric fencing is not recommended, even though it is being used in some African countries and on some ranches in the United States. Ostriches do not learn quickly and repeatedly injure themselves.
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The simplest form of fencing is five strands or high tensile galvanized smooth steel wire (3.1 mm gauge), mounted or suspended on round 15 cm diameter posts, 5m apart. Between the posts, at least two “droppers" should be placed to act as visible upright barriers for the ostriches (see Figure below). Corner posts should be round and 20 cm in diameter and there should be at least one midway post for extra strength. The first strand should be 25-30 cm above ground level to enable the handler to make a quick escape should the situation arise. This type of fencing is not suitable for emus.
Fig. 22. 3. Ostrich fencing of five wire strands and two spacers
Fig. 22. 4. Cattle panel fencing
Fig. 22. 5. Woven wire (left) and Welded wire (right)fence
Posts
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Wherever possible, should be located on the outside of the pens with the fence on the inside, particularly for older birds, to avoid getting their wings or neck caught on the post or between post and fence.
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No narrow gaps should be left between posts and gates, or between posts and buildings, because birds can easily get their necks caught and hang themselves in these narrow spaces. Wherever such gaps are unavoidable, fill them in with a 2x4, or other construction material.
Escape routes
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Escape routes in breeder pens should be provided, in the form of man- gates, or you can leave a gap of 16" to18" from the ground to the bottom of the fence - tall enough for a man to roll out beneath the fence. (This gap, of course, is not suitable for small chick pens) A no-cost method of creating man-gates is to leave a gap between the building and the first post that is wide enough for a man to enter, but is too narrow for an adult bird to walk through. (Such gaps should not be so narrow that birds risk getting their necks caught). When using these types of man-gates for grow-out chick pens, be sure to enclose them temporarily when chicks are still small.
Fig. 22. 6. Different fencing options for ratites
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