Rodent and Insect Control on Emu Birds

Rodents (Rats and Badicoots of several species)are known to cause unseen and unimaginable damage in the farms.They eat feed and feed ingredients,damage the equipments,incubators,wood work,elecriacl wires and fittings,bags and clothing,they live and breed in the burrows(holes)they make in the floor,walls and roof ,at times the chicks are also damaged by them.

   Their fecal pellets contaminate the Emu pens,the feed,they also contaminate the drinking water and are hosts for certain parasites and jointly responsible for several viral,bacterial and parasitic diseases.

   To control rodents on the farm,several choices exists,a combination is suggested for better control.

   Ultrasonic devices chase the rodents away,mechanical devices like the traps also do a good job,chemical (rodenticide's)poisoning works well but needs to be used with care,Emu's should not get it,Biological method is also very effective-keep a pair of cats they bwill do the rest.

   Most difficult to control and comon of the insects that irritate the birds and cause problems are the common house flies,stable flies and small house fly,they all carry microorganisms responsible for diseases like the typhoid,cholera,dysentery etc and parcipate in spread of parasites ike the pin worms,hook worms and a variety of round and tapeworms.

   Manure,spilled and rotting feed and vegetables around the wet are's around drinkers and water stagnation are's all attract the flies,they eat ,breed and cause a variety of problems.

  To control flies remove their breedig area's reduce water spillage ,do not allow water stagnation ,good drainage system be in place,get the manure,spiled feed and rotting vegetables removed regularly,put sand ,lime or boric powder on the wet patches ,shift the drinkers periodically to allow the area to dry,flies will be contrilled to a large extent.

  Farmers do not think much about them as they appear only during the night,mosquitoes are also a nuisance in the farms,they suck the blood and irritate the Emu's .are also responsible for some parasitic diseases ,make the birds eak and sick.EEE in Emu's is spread by mosquitoes.

  Mosquitoes also breed  in wet area's and stagnating water-proper drainage will take care of their breeding, an insecticide spray will help reduce the adult mosquitoes if sprayed during the evening or night hours.

  Ants and Beetles are also bad to be seen on the farm,Emu's are naturally insect eater's and will try eating any nsect seen,insects produce certain chemicals for their own protection and can do considerable damage to the Emu chicks,avoid spillage of feed,remove the left over feed and beetles appearing on the scene,keep the feeders in sun insects will not venture out in hot conditions.

  A variety of insects suddenly appearduring monsoon and in the flowering season for plants and weeds ,Emu's will be after them,if consumed in small quantities nothing happens but when consumed in large quantitiescan cause trouble.Put a lamp/bulb  aaway from the Emu pen that will attract all the insects away,giving less opportunity to the Emus to get into trouble.

  common sense,good observation ,presence of mind and quick corrective action gives best results.