Farm Animals

Poultry Heat Wave Welfare

Laying hens cannot adequately regulate body temperature in extreme heat causing mortality and suffering.

Key Facts

Evidence-based approaches to poultry heat wave welfare inform welfare improvements globally
Animal welfare science provides tools to assess and improve conditions for all species
Individual consumer choices combined with advocacy create lasting systemic change
Every action to reduce animal suffering contributes to a more compassionate world

Welfare Considerations

Laying hens regulate body temperature only through panting which is energy-intensive and ultimately inadequate in extreme heat. Mortality rates in intensive poultry buildings spike during heat waves. Reducing stocking density, improving ventilation, and providing cool water are primary welfare interventions. Climate change is making heat stress increasingly severe in most poultry-producing regions.

What You Can Do

Advocate for stocking density limits and ventilation requirements in poultry welfare standards
Support climate action as a fundamental farm animal welfare intervention
Choose poultry from systems with documented heat stress management
Reduce poultry consumption to lower the scale of intensive production