Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 Western Australia, Series 4
Volume 4
Number 7 July, 1963 Article 7
1-1-1963
Now is the time to poison emus Now is the time to poison emus
John L. Long
Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4 Part of the Ornithology Commons, and the Veterinary Toxicology and Pharmacology Commons
Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Long, John L. (1963) "Now is the time to poison emus," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 4: No. 7, Article 7.
Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol4/iss7/7
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VERMIN CONTROL IN WINTER
Now is the time to poison emus
rj^HE best t i m e to poison emus is during Once n a t u r a l grasses a n d t h e crops s t a r t coming to h e a d in August-September, t h e chances of a successful poisoning are not good. Emus h a v e been found to prefer t h e seeding h e a d s of n a t u r a l grasses a n d crops in preference to grain bait a t this period.
With t h e a d v e n t of t h e early heavy rains in May, t h e birds should be very mobile a n d hungry a n d can be easily poisoned.
Poisoning emus now h a s t h e effect of reducing crop damage by these birds later in t h e year when t h e crop is dry a n d prone to d a m a g e .
Free Feeding
Feeding s t a t i o n s for emus are established by placing h e a p s of w h e a t in paddocks where t h e birds are seen to congregate regularly.
Initially, small heaps of from 5 to 10 lb.
of wheat are sufficient. (Oats c a n be used but results m a y not be as good). The heaps should be spaced across t h e area where the birds h a v e been noticed—for example, five or six h e a p s m a y be spaced about 20 yards a p a r t across a n a r e a in t h e paddock where t h e birds have been sighted regularly.
Once t h e emus find t h e wheat t h e amount in each h e a p should be increased to about 2 lb. per bird for t h e remaining two free feeds. This allows for t h e greedy as well as t h e not-so-greedy birds to feed from the heaps.
It is i m p o r t a n t to give t h e full t h r e e free feeds, laying grain every second day.
After t h e first feed paraffin oil should be applied a t t h e r a t e of 4 fluid ounces per 10 lb. of w h e a t . This ensures t h a t all birds become accustomed to feeding a t the heaps a n d also to t h e paraffin oil. This is used later to a d h e r e t h e poison to t h e grain.
Laying out t h e bait towards evening a n d without u n d u e disturbance t o t h e emus will help you to obtain a b e t t e r kill.
t h e winter, from May to August.
Poisoning
The poison bait is prepared by mixing 1 ounce of soluble strychnine with 4 fluid ounces of paraffin oil, t h e n pouring this mixture onto t h e wheat and mixing.
Rubber gloves should be used while mixing and handling the poison. Remove any free feed left over and lay the poison on t h e same spots used for the free feeding, allow- ing i lb. of t h e poisoned wheat for each emu.—J. LONG (M.D.A.).
RABBITS
Rabbit poisoning over m u c h of t h e agri- cultural areas is not a practical proposi- tion in a normal July. This season with t h e wet weather and boggy paddocks in many areas it is not possible to get on to land to carry out baiting. In some dry sandy areas, poisoning is still possible a n d if there is several days of fine weather at the time of laying, the results will be good.
Fumigation is becoming increasingly important. Lately several farmers have received notices to fumigate bad pockets of rabbits which cannot be treated any other way. Due to the unusually wet con- ditions, warren ripping is restricted a n d more effort should be directed towards fumigation.
FOXES
Now t h a t a u t u m n lambing has finished, trouble from foxes should not be bad.
Vixens are almost ready to give birth to their young and their movements are sluggish. In places where dens can be located they should be fumigated with a rabbit fumigant and t h e surroundings heavily baited.
For further details of rabbit and fox control work, you should contact your local vermin control officer through t h e shire council if necessary.
433
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