Emu farming produces oil, meat, and leather but operates in a regulatory gray zone with limited welfare oversight in most jurisdictions.
Emu welfare suffers from regulatory neglect — most jurisdictions classify emus under poultry or livestock regulations that were designed for very different species. Emus require substantially more space than chickens or even most livestock, and confinement prevents natural locomotion that is central to their behavioral repertoire. Slaughter welfare is particularly inconsistent, with many operations lacking species-appropriate stunning equipment. The niche nature of the industry limits welfare research investment, creating a knowledge gap that perpetuates poor practices. Consumer demand for emu oil products creates indirect welfare impact for farmed birds.