Heat waves pose acute welfare threats to commercial poultry. As climate change increases frequency and severity of extreme heat events, the industry must adapt to protect bird welfare.
Heat stress in commercial poultry is an acute welfare emergency at the farm scale. Birds cannot sweat and rely entirely on panting and shade-seeking to thermoregulate. In densely stocked indoor sheds, heat generated by bird metabolism adds to ambient temperature during hot weather, creating conditions that can rapidly become fatal. Welfare-conscious producers have backup ventilation, standby generators, emergency protocols for power failures, and real-time temperature monitoring with alerts. Birds that survive severe heat stress may suffer lasting cardiovascular damage. Climate change is making this welfare challenge more frequent and severe across all poultry-producing regions.