Heat Stress in Livestock and Climate Welfare

How rising temperatures from climate change are intensifying heat stress welfare challenges for cattle, pigs, and poultry.

Key Facts

Heat stress is one of the most significant welfare challenges facing livestock production as global temperatures rise
Dairy cows experience heat stress at temperatures above 22 degrees Celsius combined with high humidity
Pigs have limited thermoregulatory capacity - they cannot sweat and rely on behavioral cooling through wallowing
Broiler chickens show increasing mortality during heat waves with high-producing breeds most vulnerable
Heat stress reduces feed intake, production performance, reproductive success, and immune function
Shade, ventilation, cooling systems, and cool drinking water are primary welfare interventions for heat-stressed livestock
Selective breeding for heat tolerance is an emerging area of research with significant welfare implications for future livestock

Welfare Considerations

Climate change is transforming heat stress from an occasional seasonal challenge to a chronic welfare problem for livestock in many regions. The suffering caused by heat stress is real - affected animals experience physiological distress, behavioral frustration, immune suppression, and in severe cases, heat stroke and death. The current trajectory of climate change means that heat stress welfare management will become increasingly critical even in temperate regions previously unaffected. Adaptation measures including cooling infrastructure, adjusted feeding times, breed selection, and modified housing must be proactively implemented rather than reactive responses to acute crises. Farm animal welfare in a warming world requires forward planning now.

What You Can Do

Support livestock welfare certification schemes that require heat stress management plans
Advocate for climate adaptation requirements in farm animal welfare regulations
Choose animal products from producers that demonstrate climate-responsive welfare management
Support research into heat-tolerant livestock genetics and low-stress cooling technologies
Engage with climate and livestock policy discussions to ensure animal welfare is considered in agricultural adaptation planning