Stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) occurs in numerous species and is characterised by an increase in core body
temperature, and a decrease in surface temperature, of between 0.5 and 1.5 °C within 10 to 15 min of the onset
of “emotional stress”. The aim of the current study was to ascertain whether the husbandry-relevant procedure
of handling resulted in measurable changes in surface body temperature in chickens, as measured using infrared
thermography. Baseline temperatures for 19 domestic hens were compared to temperatures immediately, and
up to 20 min following handling (catching and brief restraint by a human). Surface head, eye and comb temperatures
were plotted to investigate the pattern of temperature change. In response to handling, comb temperature
decreased significantly, showing a rapid 2 °C drop. Eye temperature showed an initial decrease then rose to
levels significantly higher than handling. Head temperature increased over the 20 min post-handling period,
to reach levels significantly higher than baseline. It can be concluded that surface temperature changes assessed
using infrared thermography, in particular of the hen's comb, are sensitive to husbandry procedures such
as handling and represent a potentially useful method for assessing stress-induced hyperthermia in chickens