Poultry Heat Stress Management and Climate Adaptation

As global temperatures rise, heat stress in commercial poultry is an escalating welfare crisis causing suffering and mortality in chickens, turkeys, and other farmed birds worldwide.

Key Facts

Poultry are particularly vulnerable to heat stress because they cannot sweat and rely on panting to dissipate heat
Temperatures above 27 degrees Celsius cause measurable stress in broiler chickens; above 35 degrees causes rapid mortality
A single heat event can kill thousands of birds in a poorly ventilated house within hours
Modern fast-growing broiler breeds are more susceptible to heat stress than heritage breeds due to their high metabolic rate
Climate projections suggest heat stress mortality in poultry will increase significantly by 2050 under most emissions scenarios

Welfare Considerations

Poultry heat stress causes acute suffering before death, with birds showing open-mouth panting, wing spreading, and prostration before collapse. Even sub-lethal heat stress impairs immune function, reduces feed intake, and causes chronic discomfort throughout the production cycle. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat events, making existing ventilation and cooling infrastructure inadequate in many regions. Welfare-conscious responses require investment in tunnel ventilation, evaporative cooling, reduced stocking densities, and modified feeding schedules. Selecting breeds with better heat tolerance is a longer-term adaptation strategy that aligns welfare and productivity interests.

What You Can Do

Support poultry welfare standards that require adequate ventilation and temperature monitoring in all houses
Ask poultry producers and retailers about their heat stress management and contingency plans
Advocate for climate-adaptive housing standards to be included in poultry welfare certification schemes
Support research into heat-tolerant poultry breeds that maintain welfare under warmer conditions
Reduce poultry consumption to decrease the number of birds at risk from heat-related welfare failures