Is it safe to eat a chicken that died from heatstroke?
Jul 14, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Chickens that die from heatstroke and have been dead for a short period, with muscles not yet spoiled, can be considered relatively safe for consumption after being thoroughly cooked, as this can kill potentially existing microorganisms, causing no obvious harm to the body. However, if the chicken has been dead for an extended period, high environmental temperatures accelerate spoilage of the meat, leading to rapid bacterial growth and the production of harmful substances. Even thorough cooking may not completely eliminate the toxins in such cases.
Generally speaking, chickens that have died from heatstroke can be eaten if the time of death was short and the meat is thoroughly cooked. However, they should not be consumed if the time of death was prolonged or if the meat hasn't been completely cooked. Detailed explanations are as follows:
Chickens that have died from heatstroke and have been dead for only a short period may still have unspoiled meat. Thorough cooking can kill potential microorganisms, making the meat relatively safe to eat without causing significant harm to the body.
If the chicken has been dead for a long time, high temperatures can accelerate meat spoilage, leading to bacterial growth and the production of harmful substances. Even cooking may not completely eliminate toxins. In cases where the chicken hasn't been fully cooked, microorganisms may not be completely killed, and consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Therefore, such meat should not be eaten.
When encountering chickens that have died from heatstroke, first determine the time of death. Be sure to thoroughly cook the meat before consumption. If any odor or signs of spoilage are noticed, discard the meat immediately.
