EMUS!

[millikins]

Hi, today in my feed merchants was an advert for emus, for sale or rent as weed control. Anyone have any experience? Are they aggressive, do they escape, do they actually eat weeds, do they dust bath or have vet issues?
Thanks all.

 

[Circe]

Well, when I first came to australia I was chased around a wildlife park by 2 emus, and I remember them pecking ( and it hurt ) but that wasn't normal apparently, so maybe they didn't like me.
They can give a very powerful kick though, but I think that would only be if they were threatened.
They can jump ( up to 7 feet ) and also squeeze through / under fences, so I guess you'd have to make sure your fencing is ok. i think they need quite alot of land as well.
They eat plants, but I'm not if they would eat weeds.
They need to be able to dust bathe.
They also need shelter.
It sounds like a lot of bother for some weed control ( but I'm biased against them due to the above mentioned "attack" )
Kx

 

[Gingersmum]

I think you would need a dangerous wild animal license for emus. Rheas would be a better choice. Neither really clear weeds.

 

[millikins]

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll stick to a man on a quad bike!