Ratite farming — emus and ostriches raised for meat, leather, and oil — presents unique welfare challenges due to these birds being adapted for vast open spaces and social living.
Ratite farming imposes significant welfare costs on animals adapted for extensive movement across open terrain. Emus and ostriches in small paddocks cannot fulfill their natural ranging behaviors and show elevated stress responses. Social disruption, improper sex ratios, and confinement cause aggression and feather damage. Handling for veterinary procedures and slaughter is extremely stressful for these animals. The relatively small size of the ratite industry means welfare standards are often less developed than for mainstream poultry.