Emus are farmed commercially for oil, leather, and meat in Australia and internationally. As large, fast, inquisitive birds, their welfare needs differ substantially from conventional poultry.
Emu welfare in farming reflects the fundamental challenge of keeping highly mobile, inquisitive wild-type birds in commercial settings. Unlike selectively bred domestic poultry, emus retain strong natural behavioural drives including ranging, foraging, and exploration. Small pen confinement frustrates these drives and causes pacing, stereotypic behaviours, and leg problems from insufficient movement on hard substrates. Emus are also sensitive to thermal stress and require shade in hot climates. Best-practice emu farming involves large paddock systems, enriched environments, careful handling procedures that minimise capture stress, and species-appropriate slaughter methods. The emu farming industry lacks the extensive welfare research base of conventional livestock sectors, meaning welfare standards vary greatly.