Ostriches and emus are farmed for meat, leather, and feathers, with welfare challenges arising from their large size, territorial behaviour, and specific climate requirements.
Ostrich and emu welfare involves the challenges of managing large, powerful, territorial birds with stress responses adapted for flight from predators. Restraint for veterinary procedures or feather harvesting causes extreme acute stress. Birds in inadequate space cannot perform the running and territorial behaviour they are motivated to express. Social grouping affects welfare significantly - incompatible groups in limited space cause fighting injuries. Climate management is important - these are warm-climate species that suffer in cold, wet conditions without adequate shelter. The welfare evidence base for ratite farming is substantially less developed than for conventional poultry, creating gaps in guidance and assurance.