Heat Stress in Broiler Chickens

Abstract Research shows that global warming has destructive effects on the environment, human health and food security. The poultry meat industry provides approximately 37% of the world's protein needs. Challenges such as undue stress due to high environmental temperatures could disrupt bird health and potentially impact the performance and availability of poultry meat for the consumer market. A stress response is the animal's biological reaction to stimuli that disturb the body’s homeostasis and can be caused by environmental factors such as excessive heat or humidity. Increased sensitivity to heat stress in modern commercial broiler chickens is due to improved growth rate and feed conversion efficiency and consequently, the welfare of these birds can be adversely affected by conditions associated with the temperature management of broiler flocks. Increasing awareness of the negative effects of heat stress on poultry welfare, bird health and performance, and meat product quality has raised concerns among researchers, breeders, production managers, and consumers. Understanding the welfare needs of broiler chickens helps to reduce the negative effects of heat stress. Information © The Authors 2024