Avian influenza outbreaks trigger mass culling of millions of poultry using methods that raise serious welfare concerns, while prevention strategies center on biosecurity at the expense of outdoor access.
Mass culling of poultry during avian influenza outbreaks using carbon dioxide or nitrogen foam causes distress, particularly when concentration is inadequate for rapid loss of consciousness. The welfare of the billions of birds housed intensively under biosecurity housing orders is compromised by denial of outdoor access. Infected birds themselves suffer severely from the disease. Prevention remains the most welfare-positive strategy.