Farm Animal Welfare

Broiler Chicken Heat Stress and Ventilation

Managing heat stress in broiler chickens through effective ventilation design and monitoring.

Key Facts

Broilers are particularly susceptible to heat stress due to rapid growth and dense muscle mass
Heat stress above 30 degrees C causes panting, reduced feed intake, and elevated mortality
Tunnel ventilation with evaporative cooling pads is the most effective technology for hot climates
Stocking density reduction during hot weather is a key management intervention

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress in broilers causes significant suffering and is a growing welfare challenge as global temperatures rise. Effective ventilation is a fundamental welfare requirement that must be designed and maintained as a minimum standard, not a premium feature.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards that require ventilation specifications for broiler units
Choose chicken from producers with independently audited heat management records
Advocate for heat stress risk assessment as a routine part of farm welfare planning