Some Factors Affecting Body Temperature of Turkeys

NORMAL body temperature is generally associated with an animal’s state of health. With some diseases body temperature is increased (e.g., erysipelas and cholera), while in others, such as hexamitiasis, a subnormal temperature may be noted (Hinshaw, 1952). Fronda (1921) reported that turkeys had an average body temperature of 106.0°F. with a range of 105.1° to 106.7°, with the 4 p.m. readings the highest. The purpose of this paper is to relate body temperature to air temperature, amount of shade, plumage color, and sex of turkeys. MATERIALS AND METHODS Most of the data were obtained from a series of tests designed to study the shade requirements of turkeys. The turkeys ranged in age from 12 to 26 weeks. They were given a standard turkey growing ration (mash and barley) and water ad lib. Body temperatures were taken with a clinical thermometer inserted in the cloaca to a depth of 8 cm… .