Broiler and layer hen welfare in hot tropical and subtropical climates requires specific management to prevent heat stress and mortality.
Heat stress in tropical poultry production represents a growing welfare crisis as climate change extends heat periods and commercial poultry production expands rapidly in the tropics. Commercial broiler breeds optimized for European temperate production have poor heat tolerance - birds in inadequately ventilated tropical houses experience acute suffering and high mortality. Traditional local chicken breeds, while less productive, have substantially better heat tolerance and welfare outcomes in tropical conditions. The welfare challenge is acute because the poorest populations with least access to refrigeration often rely most heavily on poultry for affordable protein - creating economic pressures toward intensive systems that lack adequate heat management infrastructure. Technical and policy solutions require understanding this economic context.