Welfare of Farmed Emu | Animal Welfare Hub

Emus are farmed in Australia and to a lesser extent in North America for their meat, oil, feathers, and leather, with welfare considerations unique to this large ratite species.

Key Facts

Emus are the world's second largest birds and can run at speeds up to 50 km per hour
Commercial emu farming began in Australia in the 1970s and has expanded to North America and Europe
Emus require significant space and are susceptible to leg disorders in poorly designed intensive systems
Emus are generally docile but can be highly dangerous when stressed or threatened
The emu oil market has driven some commercial farming, with welfare implications for the rendering process
Few specific welfare standards exist for farmed emus, with general poultry welfare frameworks inadequately adapted to this species

Welfare Considerations

Emu welfare in commercial farming is an area with significant gaps in species-specific research and regulatory standards. Their large size, speed, and susceptibility to leg disorders in confinement make general poultry welfare standards inadequate. Developing emu-specific welfare guidelines covering space requirements, social grouping, handling protocols, and slaughter methods is a welfare priority as global emu farming expands.

What You Can Do

Support development of species-specific welfare standards for farmed emus
Ask emu product retailers about welfare standards at their supplier farms
Advocate for farmed emus to be included in livestock welfare inspection programmes
Support research into emu welfare indicators and housing requirements
Choose emu products from producers with documented higher welfare standards where available