Heat dome caused heartbreaking losses for B.C. livestock farmers, documents show

It wasn’t just humans that suffered during the deadly heat dome that punished B.C. in June.

At least 651,000 animals died on farms as a result of the heat wave, the vast majority of them chicken and other poultry, according to records obtained by animal justice advocate Camille Labchuk through a freedom-of-information request.

Chickens are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat because they can’t sweat to cool down. During a heat wave, the birds can pant, ruffle their feathers or hold their wings out to try to cool themselves, but require additional help — cooling pads, tunnel ventilation and fans.

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