Extreme weather events including heatwaves, floods, and blizzards pose acute welfare threats to livestock. Planning and preparedness are essential for protecting farm animals during climate-related emergencies.
Extreme weather events create welfare emergencies that can rapidly overwhelm farm management capacity. During heatwaves, poultry in poorly ventilated housing can die within hours of ambient temperature thresholds being exceeded. Flooding can trap animals before evacuation is possible. Winter blizzards can cut off feed delivery and access for days. Welfare-focused emergency preparedness - shade provision, emergency ventilation capacity, elevated feeding points in flood-prone areas, and emergency contact protocols - substantially reduces the welfare impact of extreme weather events that are increasing in frequency under climate change.