Institut für Verhaltensbiologie und Zoologie, Humboldt-Universität, Invalidenstraße 43, D(O)-1040, Berlin, Germany
Abstract:
1. 1.|Heat production (HP) and body temperature (Tb) measurements were conducted at ambient temperatures (Ta) between 10 and 40°C. In addition preference temperatures (PT) were determined in a temperature channel and Tb was measured at preferred Ta
2. 2.|The influence of age on Tb at constant, as well as at PT, was proved. Increasing age was accompanied by an elevation of Tb whereas HP remained constant in the mid-range of Ta
3. 3.|The lower Tb in the first days of life is suggested to result from a lower thermoregulatory set point during the postnatal period.
4. 4.|The PT were different for the observed types of behaviour. The PT at rest was higher than the PT during locomotion, food intake and drinking.
Author Keywords: Bird; Meleagris gallopavo; heat production; body temperature; preference temperatures; thermoregulatory set point