Animals Farmed: bird flu hits the US, superbugs in pigs and the sheep with an enormous fleece

The UK’s free-range egg sector is on the brink of collapse because of sharply rising costs. Photograph: picturesbyrob/Alamy

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Millions of birds have been culled in the US after outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza or “bird flu”. The outbreaks have led zoos to temporarily close aviary exhibits and move birds away from the public. As we have reported, vets and animal advocates have called for restrictions on “cruel” methods of culling birds using extreme heat and steam.