This volume reviews, for the first time, the broad range of issues that
affect the welfare of commercially farmed ratites. Although ratites
incorporate several families of flightless birds this book focuses on
the most commonly farmed ratites, the ostrich, emu and rhea. The readers
are taken on a journey through all sectors of the industry, which
include breeding, incubation, hatching, brooding, rearing, growth,
transport and processing, with an emphasis on husbandry and management
protocols that can impact bird welfare and health. Also discussed is the
structure and sensory innervation of the skin and digits of the birds,
and the potential welfare implications of industry practices on these
structures. Each chapter in this volume focuses on a particular aspect
of the commercial farming of ratites with contributing authors from a
broad range of disciplines.