Basal Metabolism and Energetic Cost of Thermoregulation in Wild Turkeys

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Abstract
Metabolism of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) was measured as a function of temperature during the winters of 1983-84, 1984-85, and the summer of 1984. Basal metabolism (mL oxygen/g/hr) did not differ between sexes within seasons, but was higher for juveniles during winter and adults in summer than for adults in winter. Metabolic costs for thermoregulation below the lower critical temperature ($\text{T}_{lc}$) for females was greater than for males during each season.