Weird beard

[mcw3734]

Wondering if anybody might have an idea what happened here. Shot a gobbler a few days ago with a big body and 1 1/8" spurs (really wish I could have weighed him). So... what, a 3-year-old bird? But the beard was messed up. It's about 3.5" long with light colored tips. Now, I know that's not uncommon for a jake's beard (buddy shot one nearby that had that). But this also had just a few strands that reach out to about 6" and 7". They all show discoloration at the 3.5" mark, but didn't break off.

Anybody see this before? Guess what would cause it?

I am in snow country and I'll also say that the 2-year-old birds we were shooting this year had normal 6-8" beards.

[chufagold]

Beard Rot

[Gobble!]

Beard Rot

I would agree. I believe it is from a vitamin deficiency.

[Cottonmouth]

Yep, beard rot. Haven't seen it here in several years.

[catman529]

Beard rot, a lack of melanin which causes the light brown color and also makes it brittle, so it breaks off.


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[Swenny]

Beard rot?  Weird, I'm going to have to look that one up.

[dublelung]

Beard rot?  Weird, I'm going to have to look that one up.

Knock yourself out. Google "beard rot" and you'll see pics exactly like the one pictured with a description exactly like Catman mentioned, Melanin deficiency.

https://www.google.com/search?q=beard+rot+on+turkeys&rlz=1C1EODB_enUS584US626&oq=beard+rot&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.4915j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[kyturkeyhunter4]

Beard rot I agree with ever one else, I've  killed a couple like this before.

[DawgsFan1]

Beard rot. Killed one like that this year.

[Swenny]

Beard rot?  Weird, I'm going to have to look that one up.

Knock yourself out. Google "beard rot" and you'll see pics exactly like the one pictured with a description exactly like Catman mentioned, Melanin deficiency.

https://www.google.com/search?q=beard+rot+on+turkeys&rlz=1C1EODB_enUS584US626&oq=beard+rot&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.4915j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Thanks!

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[Spitten and drummen]

Beard Rot

This

[LaLongbeard]

Very common in some parts of Texas the times I've hunted there at least one Gobbler had a ratty beard with only a few strands. I've learned to look closely at Rios before I shoot, beard rot has saved the lives of several.

[runngun]

Killed a Rio in Oklahoma that weighed 23 pounds and had 1.75 inch spurs. Beard looked exactly like that. Buddy I was hunting when said "Jake" when he was called to the gun. I said BS, and dropped the hammer.

Have a good one
Ray

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