Minimize birds’ stress, preserve welfare
In the face of threats such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), one of the most pressing challenges for the poultry industry is to continually evaluate and improve depopulation strategies.
This is essential to prevent or mitigate the spread of HPAI by eliminating infected or potentially infected poultry as effectively and humanely as possible under the circumstances.
Research is helping the industry meet this challenge by evaluating depopulation treatments. Kari Harding, MS, at North Carolina State University, presented key findings from one of the latest depopulation studies at the 2024 Poultry Science Association annual meeting.
“When HPAI and other challenges requiring depopulation occur, we need to be ready,” Harding said.