Farm Animals

Heat Stress in Broiler Chickens: Climate Adaptation

Heat stress causes significant welfare and production problems for broiler chickens globally, with climate change increasing the frequency and severity of heat events in major production regions.

Key Facts

Broiler chickens cannot effectively thermoregulate above 30 degrees Celsius
Heat stress causes panting, reduced feed intake, and in severe cases, mass mortality
Ventilation, cool water access, and reduced stocking density mitigate heat stress significantly
Climate change is expanding the geographic range and duration of heat stress risk for poultry
Dark-out houses with tunnel ventilation systems provide more effective heat management than naturally ventilated buildings

Welfare Considerations

Broiler chickens experiencing heat stress suffer from hyperthermia, cardiovascular strain, and the physiological distress of extreme thermoregulatory effort. In severe heat events, mortality can reach thousands of birds per house. As climate change intensifies, heat stress will affect an increasing proportion of the global broiler flock for longer periods each year.

What You Can Do

Support welfare regulations requiring minimum ventilation and cooling standards for poultry housing
Advocate for climate adaptation planning in poultry welfare requirements
Choose chicken from producers with demonstrated heat stress management programs
Donate to organizations working on climate-adaptive poultry welfare solutions
Engage with food businesses about heat stress welfare requirements in poultry supply chains