Emus are farmed in Australia and North America for oil, meat, and leather. Their welfare needs differ significantly from poultry and require specialized understanding.
Emu welfare challenges include space restriction in intensive systems that prevent normal ranging behavior, as emus naturally cover large distances daily. Handling and mustering cause significant acute stress. High-density emu housing leads to feather-pecking and aggression between birds. Slaughter welfare is a particular concern as emus are not covered by conventional poultry stunning equipment and require species-specific approaches. Pain management for routine procedures and disease treatment is often inadequate in small-scale operations. Species-specific welfare guidelines for ratites are needed to address these gaps.