Turkeys are among the most heat-sensitive farmed animals due to their large body mass, feathering, and inability to sweat, making thermal management in production systems a critical welfare challenge.
Heat stress in commercial turkeys is a welfare emergency that occurs gradually and then suddenly. Birds that have been chronically heat-stressed for days before a fatal heat event have suffered ongoing physiological distress including panting, reduced movement, and appetite suppression. The breeding for extreme body mass compounds the problem: birds that cannot thermoregulate effectively are placed in an environment where even mild temperature increases cause suffering. Welfare-conscious turkey production requires proactive thermal management, stocking densities that allow birds to spread out and access cooler zones, and breed selection that improves heat tolerance. Emergency protocols for power outages — which can be fatal in sealed ventilation-dependent barns within minutes — must be tested regularly. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat events, making thermal welfare management increasingly critical.