Originally Posted by
gyro288
I was curious about why i have harvested old birds that have beards that apear to be burned off??
I have heard several theories. That mites eat them, or they wear down dragging the ground, other birds peck them off.
So if anybody has any facts as to why i would apreciate it,
Also is it genetics or health of the bird to grow big beards??
A Veternarian I know well, who is a turkey hunter, told me last year that beart rot was the result of a localized fungal infection.
Below is a pic from last year of a turkey I killed with some minor beard rot and partial loss of strands. I killed one that two years ago that was completely broken off. about 5 inches down from the breast.
Mouthcaller