Avian influenza outbreaks require large-scale culling that causes welfare harm, while biosecurity prevents outbreaks reducing cumulative suffering.
Poultry flocks infected with high pathogenicity avian influenza experience rapid respiratory distress, neurological symptoms, and death over 24-48 hours. Culling of infected and adjacent flocks prevents further spread but involves mass killing of birds using methods that may not ensure immediate unconsciousness. Prevention through biosecurity is both a welfare and production priority.