Farm Animals

Poultry Heat Stress in Summer Production

Heat stress is a major welfare and production problem in poultry farming, causing suffering and mortality when ventilation and cooling systems are inadequate.

Key Facts

Chickens lack sweat glands and rely entirely on panting and wing extension for thermoregulation
Broiler chickens are at elevated risk due to their high metabolic rate and large body mass
Heat stress causes reduced feed intake, increased water intake, and reduced growth rates
Mortality in extreme heat events can affect up to 10% of a broiler flock within hours
Tunnel ventilation systems, evaporative cooling pads, and increased stocking space reduce heat stress risk

Welfare Considerations

Heat-stressed chickens experience panting distress, lethargy, loss of coordination, and death in severe cases. Poultry in intensive houses depend entirely on ventilation systems, making power failures or mechanical breakdowns catastrophic welfare emergencies. Broiler genetics selectively bred for rapid growth may be less heat-tolerant than slower-growing alternatives. Summer heat kills tens of millions of poultry globally each year in preventable welfare emergencies.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards that require adequate cooling and ventilation in all poultry facilities
Advocate for backup power generator requirements in poultry housing regulations
Choose slower-growing breed certified chicken products that have better heat tolerance
Support research into heat-tolerant welfare-positive poultry breeds
Raise awareness about heat mortality as a preventable welfare failure in intensive poultry production