Poultry Farming

Broiler Chicken Heat Stress Welfare in Summer

Heat stress in broiler sheds during summer is a growing welfare concern as climate change increases frequency and severity of hot weather events.

Key Facts

Broilers have limited ability to dissipate heat due to dense feathering and rapid growth
Critical temperature threshold for broilers is approximately 27-29 degrees Celsius
Heat stress causes panting, reduced activity, reduced feed intake, and increased mortality
Tunnel ventilation with evaporative cooling can maintain acceptable temperatures
Climate change is increasing the frequency of heat events that exceed management capacity

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress is acutely painful - birds die in numbers during severe heat events. Even sub-lethal heat stress causes suffering through panting distress and metabolic compromise. As climate change intensifies, existing ventilation systems will increasingly be inadequate, requiring both infrastructure investment and breed changes toward heat-tolerant genetics.

What You Can Do

Support poultry welfare standards including climate adaptation requirements
Advocate for heat emergency protocols and ventilation standards in poultry housing
Choose chicken from farms with demonstrated heat management infrastructure