MTT I've killed a few birds like you and old Turk describe!To my understanding what you all describe here in adult gobblers having short beards is caused by a melanin defiency !A defiency in this substance often causes brittle beards,better known as beard rot,and can turn the entire beard blond or a rust color!It also seems to have a tendency to be hereditary!There are areas across the U.S that have a problem with beard rot,but luckily it seems to have no effect on the overall growth of the bird except effecting the strength and health of a gobblers beard!Take care Bob

Monarch isn't a butterfly it's the King of the Spring!