I'm not 100% sure what causes beard rot(some say parasites,some say malnutrition),but the beard lacks the black pigment and is weaker at that point.As the bird brushes against bushes,hens...etc. it breaks off at that point,and then you have a short beard.As long as the beard doesn't get the weaker strands it should grow back to a good length in time.Beards usually grow pretty quick until they reach a certain length just like our hair does.Think about it I have seen jakes with 5" beards,and 2 yr olds with 9 1/2" beards.If a birds beard breaks off at 5" it could easily be 9 1/2" or so the following year.

MDmaniac The beard grows just like when we shave.Which is why you generally see these stripes in the beard,as the birds beard is growing,and it is under stress from either parasites or malnutrition.I haven't found a solid answer on that yet.Others say it is from extreme cold,but we (southern Ga) rarely see temps under 30 degrees so that can't be it.I have a good idea,but I can't say for sure either.This is just my theory.[8D]

I shot a bird this year with the exact same thing Quicksilver.



and here's one that was broken off like you were saying,this bird had 1 1/16" sharp spurs,and only a 6" beard with auburn tips