NZ’s free-range poultry in ‘Flockdown’ as hundreds of thousands of hens move indoors

New Zealand's free-range poultry sector has taken drastic measures by moving hundreds of thousands of hens indoors to prevent the spread of the H5N1 bird flu. This "flockdown" is a response to rising concerns about the virus, which has been detected in nearby countries and poses a significant threat to the poultry industry. Protecting the birds not only ensures the health of the nation's poultry but also safeguards the livelihoods of farmers and the reputation of New Zealand's high-quality poultry products. The move underscores the industry's commitment to biosecurity and the potential economic impact of avian flu on global markets.