Heat Stress in Livestock: Climate Change and Farm Animal Welfare

Climate change is increasing heat stress in farm animals. Understanding this emerging welfare crisis helps farmers and policymakers prepare adaptive strategies.

Key Facts

Heat stress reduces dairy cow milk production by up to 25% and causes significant welfare harm
Poultry are particularly vulnerable - broiler chickens can die of heat stroke at temperatures above 30C
Global warming is increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves affecting livestock
UK farms are not typically designed for the higher temperatures predicted under climate scenarios
Heat stress impairs immune function, reproduction, and behaviour in all major livestock species
Shade, ventilation, water access, and reduced stocking density are key welfare mitigations

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress in farm animals is an emerging welfare crisis driven by climate change intersecting with intensive production systems. Animals evolved for temperate conditions confined in poorly ventilated buildings face genuine thermal suffering during extreme heat events. The physiological stress of overheating - panting, seeking shade, reduced feeding - becomes a welfare emergency when shade, ventilation, and water are inadequate. Broiler chickens, with their fast metabolism and dense plumage, are particularly vulnerable. Adapting farm infrastructure for higher temperature ranges is a welfare investment that is becoming economically necessary as extreme heat events increase.

What You Can Do

Support climate action as a farm animal welfare intervention
Advocate for farm building design standards that address heat stress
Donate to research on climate-adaptive livestock management
Choose animal products from farms with documented heat stress management protocols
Engage with the farming industry on heat stress welfare standards