Farm Animal Hot Weather Welfare Management

Heat stress causes significant welfare harm and production losses in farm animals. Evidence-based heat abatement strategies protect animal welfare during high temperature periods.

Key Facts

Dairy cows experiencing heat stress show reduced feed intake, milk production and reproduction
Pigs are particularly susceptible to heat stress with limited sweating capacity and high stocking densities
Poultry mortality can be significant in inadequately ventilated houses during heat waves
Effective heat abatement combines shade, ventilation, cooling water and reduced stocking density
Climate change is increasing heat stress risk globally requiring adaptive management strategies

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress causes measurable suffering through hyperthermia, discomfort, reduced feed intake and behavioral changes. Severe heat stress can be fatal. Farm animal welfare in the face of increasing temperature extremes from climate change requires investment in heat abatement infrastructure including improved ventilation, evaporative cooling, shade access and appropriate stocking density reduction during heat events. This is both a welfare and production-aligned incentive for producers.

What You Can Do

Support farm animal welfare certification that includes mandatory heat abatement standards
Reduce animal product consumption during hot weather or choose products from outdoor systems with shade access
Advocate for climate-smart farm animal welfare standards that address increasing heat stress risk
Support research into adaptive breed selection for heat tolerance without compromising other welfare traits
Engage with supermarkets about heat abatement requirements in their farm animal welfare sourcing standards