Emus are farmed globally for oil, leather, and meat. As ratites adapted to vast open landscapes, their welfare needs present challenges for commercial production.
Emus in restricted commercial paddocks cannot express their nomadic behavioral drive, causing pacing and stereotypic behavior in small enclosures. Stocking density management is critical as overcrowded emus show increased aggression and injury rates. Their complex paternal care behavior is completely disrupted in commercial settings where eggs are incubated artificially. Handling and transport cause extreme stress due to their large size and strong flight responses. Welfare science for emus is sparse, leaving producers without evidence-based guidelines for managing these highly specialized birds. The species retains strong wild behavioral drives incompatible with intensive management systems.