Limb diseases in ratites represent a problem in the farming. This study was carried out at the Department of Poultry and Ornamental Bird Breeding in Szczecin, Poland, on the co-operating emu and ostrich farms. Based on the observations, the following recommendations have been proposed, which should facilitate proper management of an emu/ostrich farm: (1) as a preventive measure, the legs of the chicks should be tied together for 4-6 days after hatching; (2) the chicks should be provided with enough space to move freely; (3) the ration during the first weeks of life should not much exceed the level of birds' nutritional requirements; (4) against curled toe or toes, corrective splints should applied, tailored to the size of the foot and fastened so as not to impede movement ability; (5) intensive and regular stimulating massages should be applied against myopathy.

153-162