Farm Animals

Poultry Heat Stress in Climate Change

Heat stress in poultry is a growing welfare concern as global temperatures rise, with severe economic and welfare consequences including mortality, reduced production, and immunosuppression.

Key Facts

Poultry are highly sensitive to heat stress due to limited ability to dissipate heat
Heat stress causes mortality, reduced egg production, poor meat quality and immunosuppression
Evaporative cooling systems significantly reduce heat stress in housed poultry
Free-range birds may face greater heat stress risk without adequate shade provision
Climate change is extending the heat stress risk period in many major producing regions

Welfare Considerations

Poultry heat stress management requires both engineering solutions (cooling systems, ventilation) and management responses (feeding time modification, shade provision). Climate change adaptation planning for poultry must include heat stress welfare as a priority concern.

What You Can Do

Advocate for heat stress management requirements in poultry welfare regulations
Support research into heat-tolerant poultry breeds with maintained welfare
Engage with climate change and farm animal welfare connections in public discourse