Farming Emus
The emu is a large, flightless bird endemic to Australia; its body fat is the ultimate source of emu oil. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes that, until the 1990s, emu farming was illegal in the emu's homeland of Australia. Since the 1990s, emu farms have gained in popularity; most operations now raise these ostrich-like birds in large-scale outdoor enclosures. Organizations like the American Emu Association provide guidelines for the humane treatment of captive emus; however, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has expressed concern regarding the treatment of emus, ostriches and other non-domesticated farm animals.
Slaughter
Emus mature at a relatively slow rate compared to other birds; they are rarely slaughtered before the second year of life. The technique for slaughtering emus is similar to the methods used for smaller fowl such as chickens and turkeys. Trucks carry the birds to slaughterhouses, where machines break the emus' necks. The ASPCA notes that rough handling under these circumstances can cause the animals to suffer from injuries or pre-slaughter death.
Extraction
Emus have a thick fat padding on their backs; this camel-like adaptation helps them to survive periods of famine in the wild. Emu oil manufacturers extract the unrefined product from this concentrated source of natural oil. While some manufacturers discard the remaining portion of the emu's body, others market emu leather and meat as a novelty item or health food. By-products like feet, nerve tissue and feathers may be discarded, incinerated or sold to pet food manufacturers.
Refinement
Manufacturers refine emu oil using a combination of mechanical, chemical and thermal techniques. Heat and refrigeration can help to isolate the most saturated portions of emu oil, and mechanical filters can eliminate impurities and inorganic contaminants. Some companies may also use lipophilic compounds or enzymes to isolate the fatty acids found in emu oil. Most forms of emu oil have an unpleasant odor, so emu oil manufacturers may add artificial fragrances to improve the product's commercial appeal.
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