Farm Animals

Poultry Heat Stress: Welfare Management in Climate Change

As global temperatures rise, heat stress in poultry becomes an increasingly significant welfare challenge.

Key Facts

Broilers and laying hens experience heat stress above 25-28 degrees Celsius
Heat stress causes panting, reduced feed intake, and can cause rapid mortality
Evaporative cooling, ventilation, and feeding schedule adjustments reduce heat stress
Climate projections suggest heat stress events will increase dramatically by 2050

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress causes acute suffering and death. Poultry are particularly vulnerable due to their limited ability to thermoregulate. Climate-adaptive housing design and emergency heat protocols are increasingly essential welfare requirements.

What You Can Do

Support poultry welfare standards that include heat stress management plans
Advocate for building standards requiring adequate ventilation in new poultry houses
Choose poultry from farms with verified climate adaptation protocols