France Heatwave Kills 1,500 Chickens, Wiping Out One-Third of Flock
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 6
France Heatwave Kills 1,500 Chickens, Wiping Out One-Third of Flock
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 6
Summary
1,500 chickens died over several hours on June 23 at a family farm in northwestern France after temperatures surged inside a long shed during the country’s hottest stretch on record.
One-third of Isabelle Renaudier’s flock was dead by the time she opened the door; the birds were 19 days from slaughter for supermarkets, butchers and rotisseries.
Chickens are especially exposed to extreme heat because they cannot sweat and their feathers trap heat, forcing them to pant until dehydration and exhaustion set in.
Broiler breeds used in large-scale production face an added risk: their rapid growth and fast metabolism make them run hotter, underscoring how poultry bred for cheap meat is vulnerable in a warming climate.