Climate Change and Poultry Farming: A Systematic Review of Environmental, Health, and Production Impacts
Fernando Jose Chavez, Ramil Entana Jr., Ailene Besing, Rhea Jean Batbatan, Pierre Kent Escudero
Received: 18 May 2026; Revised: 29 June 2026; Accepted: 02 July 2026; Published: 04 July 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.66074/X4N1P7W2
Abstract
Climate change is increasingly threatening poultry farming through rising temperatures, heat stress, irregular rainfall patterns, disease outbreaks, and disruptions in feed and water availability, resulting in reduced productivity and compromised poultry health. This systematic review evaluated the impacts of climate change on poultry farming, focusing on production, health, environmental sustainability, resource availability, and adaptation strategies based on studies published between 2020 and 2026. Using PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 328 studies were identified across multiple databases; 30 met the inclusion criteria after systematic screening, and 4 of which were review articles. A narrative synthesis approach was employed due to methodological and outcome heterogeneity among the selected studies. Findings revealed that heat stress is the most significant climate-related challenge in poultry production, contributing to reduced feed intake, slower growth, decreased egg production, impaired immune function, and increased mortality. Climate change also exacerbates the spread of infectious diseases, including Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, while limiting feed and water resources and increasing production costs. Environmental impacts included increased pressure on natural resources and reduced farm efficiency. Common adaptation strategies identified were improved housing design, cooling technologies, nutritional interventions, enhanced biosecurity, and the use of heat-tolerant poultry breeds. However, implementation remains limited in developing countries due to high costs and restricted access to climate-resilient technologies. Across the reviewed studies, heat stress consistently emerged as the most severe climate-related stressor, with some studies reporting mortality increases of up to 30% under extreme heat conditions. These findings underscore the urgent need for practical, scalable, and climate-resilient adaptation strategies to sustain poultry productivity and food security under changing climatic conditions.
Keywords: climate change, climate-smart agriculture, disease outbreaks, environmental impacts, poultry health
Corresponding Author Information: Mindanao State University – Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines; ramiljr.entana@msubuug.edu.ph
Volume 2, Issue 3, September 2026