Avian influenza outbreaks require mass culling of poultry flocks, raising significant welfare questions about culling methods.
Avian flu culling creates acute welfare emergencies. The need to kill millions of birds rapidly to prevent disease spread conflicts with the time required for humane killing methods. Ventilation shutdown causes death by heat stress or suffocation — prolonged and distressing. Gas-based killing, while faster than individual methods, can be inhumane if not properly applied. Preparedness planning should prioritize more humane options.