How to Build Shelters for Emus

Providing a comfortable environment for your emus is essential to properly raising and breeding them. In addition to building a pen that allows your emus to run and exercise, you must build a shelter to protect them from the elements. Location, size and proper positioning are important elements for creating a structure that emus will use to seek shelter from the wind and shade from the sun.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wire fencing
• Trees
• Metal or wood
• Straw

1. Start by building a 30-feet-by-100-feet pen for your emus. Pens must be constructed of chain link or 2-inches-by-4-inches welded wire fencing.

2. Pick a shady location inside your pen to build a shelter. Plant trees near your shelter location if you do not have a shady area to start with.

3. Map out an 8-feet-by-8-feet area in your chosen location.

4. Construct a metal or wooden shelter with a solid roof and solid north and west walls to provide shelter for your emus from the wind and sun.

5. Cover the ground beneath your shelter with straw. This provides warmth, comfort and a place for your emus to lay their eggs.

6. Place feeders under your emu shelter.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a site with good water drainage for your emu pen and shelter. Standing water brings unnecessary insects and causes a bacteria risk.
• Emus do not always prefer to be in a shelter, so you can position straw bales in your pen to help provide protection from the wind during the winter months. The straw can then be used as ground cover when the weather gets warmer.
• If the winter months are particularly cold in your area, you may use an existing structure like a barn or greenhouse to provide protection for your emus.
• Enclosed structures must be cleaned regularly. Bacteria grows in dark, dirty areas so cleaning up after your emus is important.