Poultry Heat Stress Prevention | Animal Welfare Hub

How heat stress affects poultry welfare and the management strategies that reduce its impact in broiler and laying hen production.

Key Facts

Poultry have limited capacity to thermoregulate in high temperatures due to lack of sweat glands
Heat stress causes panting, reduced feed intake, immunosuppression, and increased mortality
Broilers bred for rapid growth are especially vulnerable to heat stress due to high metabolic heat production
Evaporative cooling, tunnel ventilation, and shade provision significantly reduce heat stress mortality
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat events in poultry-producing regions

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress is a growing welfare crisis in poultry production globally as climate change increases the frequency of extreme heat events. Modern broiler genetics that maximize growth rate also increase metabolic heat production, compounding vulnerability. Effective management includes tunnel ventilation, evaporative cooling pads, cool water ad libitum, and reduced stocking density during hot periods. Building design adaptations including increased roof insulation and shading are increasingly critical in tropical and temperate regions alike.

What You Can Do

Support poultry welfare standards that require heat stress prevention plans
Advocate for slower-growing broiler breeds that are less vulnerable to heat stress
Choose chicken from producers with demonstrated heat stress management programs
Support climate policy that reduces the frequency of extreme heat events affecting livestock