Title: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 29, 2023, 04:28:21 PM
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 29, 2023, 04:28:21 PM
Have any of you fellas ever seen a hen with spurs? I have hen on camera at the deer feeder with a beard and spurs. 
Although it may be a gobbler with a hen head. Darnedest thing I've ever seen! I'll try and post a picture
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Although it may be a gobbler with a hen head. Darnedest thing I've ever seen! I'll try and post a picture Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: runngun on January 29, 2023, 04:29:50 PM
Post by: runngun on January 29, 2023, 04:29:50 PM
Please post up the pictures, I would like to see it.
Have a good one and May God bless
Bo
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Have a good one and May God bless
Bo
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 29, 2023, 04:37:48 PM
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 29, 2023, 04:37:48 PM
On the first few pics I had of it I really didn't catch on to it. As I looked closer I saw what appeared to be spurs so I was intrigued to look back at other photos and it was clear.
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Tail Feathers on January 29, 2023, 04:47:46 PM
Post by: Tail Feathers on January 29, 2023, 04:47:46 PM
I've seen a bearded hen or two, but never heard of one with beard and spurs. Cool pic!
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Turkeybutt on January 29, 2023, 04:58:50 PM
Post by: Turkeybutt on January 29, 2023, 04:58:50 PM
That's one of them Transgendered turkeys
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Sir-diealot on January 29, 2023, 05:09:11 PM
Post by: Sir-diealot on January 29, 2023, 05:09:11 PM
Saw my first bearded hen last May, this is a new one on me. I wonder what a biologist would have to say.
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: guesswho on January 29, 2023, 05:48:21 PM
Post by: guesswho on January 29, 2023, 05:48:21 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on January 29, 2023, 05:09:11 PMIf I was a biologist, I'd tell you if it identifies as a gobbler, then so be it.
Saw my first bearded hen last May, this is a new one on me. I wonder what a biologist would have to say.
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Sir-diealot on January 29, 2023, 05:49:48 PM
Post by: Sir-diealot on January 29, 2023, 05:49:48 PM
Quote from: guesswho on January 29, 2023, 05:48:21 PMI was looking for a more scientific approach. :PQuote from: Sir-diealot on January 29, 2023, 05:09:11 PMIf I was a biologist, I'd tell you if it identifies as a gobbler, then so be it.
Saw my first bearded hen last May, this is a new one on me. I wonder what a biologist would have to say.
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: guesswho on January 29, 2023, 06:04:16 PM
Post by: guesswho on January 29, 2023, 06:04:16 PM
Scientific? Can't help you. But I did stay at a Holiday one time ;D
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Greg Massey on January 29, 2023, 06:06:20 PM
Post by: Greg Massey on January 29, 2023, 06:06:20 PM
Thank goodness it don't have fluorescent blue , green or pink on it's head .... :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Happy on January 29, 2023, 06:10:12 PM
Post by: Happy on January 29, 2023, 06:10:12 PM
That's one of them mossyhead turkeys you hear about. I bet it gobbles, but it sounds a little different. I have seen it before with domestic turkeys. Sometimes, something in the genetics just goes weird. I have always privately thought that was what the old timers didn't realize when talking about them. The descriptions of them were right along those lines.
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: tal on January 29, 2023, 06:19:06 PM
Post by: tal on January 29, 2023, 06:19:06 PM
I've seen bearded hens but the spurs had me, couldn't match them with that head. Happy you may have hit paydirt. Imagine what would be told if that bird was killed in the early 1900's, or even now. :o
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: ChesterCopperpot on January 29, 2023, 07:38:27 PM
Post by: ChesterCopperpot on January 29, 2023, 07:38:27 PM
Seen plenty of bearded hens, but sure never seen one with spurs. That's wild.
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: deathfoot on January 29, 2023, 07:42:32 PM
Post by: deathfoot on January 29, 2023, 07:42:32 PM
That's pretty awesome and unique.
I've been turkey hunting for 30 years and have yet to see a bearded hen. Much less anything like this.
I've been turkey hunting for 30 years and have yet to see a bearded hen. Much less anything like this.
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Guskie on January 29, 2023, 07:50:29 PM
Post by: Guskie on January 29, 2023, 07:50:29 PM
I see a smallish head, under developed waddles, and feathers that grow further up the neck than normal.
Other wise it has male plumage, and the obvious beard and spurs.
Other wise it has male plumage, and the obvious beard and spurs.
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hook hanger on January 30, 2023, 01:51:37 AM
Post by: Hook hanger on January 30, 2023, 01:51:37 AM
Have seen hens that had spurs and beards shot in the fall. Even seen a newbie that killed one and called me up and asked what he killed.
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: runngun on January 30, 2023, 03:21:19 PM
Post by: runngun on January 30, 2023, 03:21:19 PM
Thanks for sharing this picture with us. Definitely a first for me. I have a friend who is retired Wildlife Biologist, who specializes on all things turkey. He even wrote a book on Turkey Biology. I can't wait to show him this.
Have a good one and May God bless
Bo
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Have a good one and May God bless
Bo
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 30, 2023, 05:04:06 PM
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 30, 2023, 05:04:06 PM
Quote from: runngun on January 30, 2023, 03:21:19 PMI would be eager to see what he had to say on the topic. I think I've had her on camera for a couple years now not realizing she may have spurs and her beard was not nearly as good two years ago.
Thanks for sharing this picture with us. Definitely a first for me. I have a friend who is retired Wildlife Biologist, who specializes on all things turkey. He even wrote a book on Turkey Biology. I can't wait to show him this.
Have a good one and May God bless
Bo
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These type things may be more common than I think.
Last year had a gobbler with no beard whatsoever not even a hint of a beard on camera with really good spurs. I let him walk for a Jake one morning gobbling my his head off. After looking at a camera we noticed he had spurs . At the end of season my son missed him. This year I have him on camera again with a Jake beard with those really good spurs.
I'm sure it's all some genetic thing. Please let me know what the fella says.
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: runngun on January 30, 2023, 07:52:05 PM
Post by: runngun on January 30, 2023, 07:52:05 PM
PM sent.
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: WV Flopper on January 30, 2023, 08:16:02 PM
Post by: WV Flopper on January 30, 2023, 08:16:02 PM
Ever think this may be a case of a male turkey trying to identify as a female? Dull feathers, high feathers on neck and lack of color on the head...maybe he is trying to fit in. At least he doesn't think he is a chicken.
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 30, 2023, 09:26:48 PM
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 30, 2023, 09:26:48 PM
If she comes up gobbling this spring she gonna be in trouble
! She must identify as both. I've seen her flocked up with other gobblers as well as other hens on different occasions.
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! She must identify as both. I've seen her flocked up with other gobblers as well as other hens on different occasions. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: MK M GOBL on January 30, 2023, 09:55:09 PM
Post by: MK M GOBL on January 30, 2023, 09:55:09 PM
Feathers tell me it's a male, no light tipped body feathers everything body is black tipped. Has a beard and spurs... and not to say hens don't have those.
MK M GOBL
MK M GOBL
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 30, 2023, 10:55:09 PM
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 30, 2023, 10:55:09 PM
Here is a couple more pics. One being a guy and one hanging with the ladies.
She looks an awful lot like the other hens to me.
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She looks an awful lot like the other hens to me.
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: cassga on January 30, 2023, 11:01:53 PM
Post by: cassga on January 30, 2023, 11:01:53 PM
Pretty wild! That's a first for me.
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: runngun on January 31, 2023, 12:40:16 PM
Post by: runngun on January 31, 2023, 12:40:16 PM
My Biologists Friend said that he has of course trapped numerous bearded hens. He said that he has seen this before, but it is very rare. I sent him the pictures posted here.
Have a good one and May God bless
Bo
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Have a good one and May God bless
Bo
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: runngun on January 31, 2023, 01:44:17 PM
Post by: runngun on January 31, 2023, 01:44:17 PM
If you keep getting pictures, please update us. I showed him the pictures that you posted today and he said that he would really like to get some more pictures. The latest pictures he said looks to him like a "Wormy" Gobbler. But would like more pictures.
Have a good one and May God bless
Bo
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Have a good one and May God bless
Bo
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Sir-diealot on January 31, 2023, 04:03:48 PM
Post by: Sir-diealot on January 31, 2023, 04:03:48 PM
Quote from: guesswho on January 29, 2023, 06:04:16 PMIs that where all the top biologists stay? Now I know where to catch up with Michael Chamberlain. He stopped talking to me.
Scientific? Can't help you. But I did stay at a Holiday one time ;D
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 31, 2023, 07:07:28 PM
Post by: Hwd silvestris on January 31, 2023, 07:07:28 PM
Pat was back today. Here are a few more pics from today. I apologize if there is some duplicates. It's difficult on my end to tell which I've sent already.
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: runngun on January 31, 2023, 07:28:06 PM
Post by: runngun on January 31, 2023, 07:28:06 PM
Thanks, I'll forward them to him.
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Haypatch on February 03, 2023, 02:48:39 PM
Post by: Haypatch on February 03, 2023, 02:48:39 PM
I've seen several bearded hen's but never a spurred hen!! Thats very unique!!
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: runngun on February 03, 2023, 07:03:38 PM
Post by: runngun on February 03, 2023, 07:03:38 PM
My friend, the Turkey Biologist, said that looks to him like a Gobbler, just a "wormy" one is the way he explained it to me. He did say that he would definitely like to see more pictures.
Have a good one and May God bless ,Bo
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Have a good one and May God bless ,Bo
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hwd silvestris on February 03, 2023, 10:38:46 PM
Post by: Hwd silvestris on February 03, 2023, 10:38:46 PM
Did he mention it could be sick?
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: runngun on February 04, 2023, 12:39:04 PM
Post by: runngun on February 04, 2023, 12:39:04 PM
He did mention that it's possibly sick. Have you got any more pics of him/it.
He also said that he has seen hens with beards and spurs but that's extremely rare though.
Have a good one, Bo
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He also said that he has seen hens with beards and spurs but that's extremely rare though.
Have a good one, Bo
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hwd silvestris on February 04, 2023, 10:13:01 PM
Post by: Hwd silvestris on February 04, 2023, 10:13:01 PM
Pat hasn't showed up in the past few days! I'm getting a tad worried!
He/she was visiting almost daily there for a while. I'll update with a pic when it shows up again.
I did change the settings on my camera to video to see if it acted lethargic/sick but seem to act healthy.
I'm starting to think it's a wormy gobbler like your buddy. It appears to have gobbler feet too. Just a tiny little
head.
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He/she was visiting almost daily there for a while. I'll update with a pic when it shows up again.
I did change the settings on my camera to video to see if it acted lethargic/sick but seem to act healthy.
I'm starting to think it's a wormy gobbler like your buddy. It appears to have gobbler feet too. Just a tiny little
head.
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: wyetterp on February 05, 2023, 02:57:03 AM
Post by: wyetterp on February 05, 2023, 02:57:03 AM
In to follow along. Very interesting.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Sir-diealot on February 05, 2023, 01:59:18 PM
Post by: Sir-diealot on February 05, 2023, 01:59:18 PM
Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hwd silvestris on February 07, 2023, 08:37:53 PM
Post by: Hwd silvestris on February 07, 2023, 08:37:53 PM
It came back today. I think I'm gonna rename this turkey "Beetle Juice" I'm not sure "Pat" fits it.
The image may be poor as I had to take screenshot it from a video.
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The image may be poor as I had to take screenshot it from a video.
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: runngun on February 07, 2023, 09:03:10 PM
Post by: runngun on February 07, 2023, 09:03:10 PM
Quote from: Hwd silvestris on February 04, 2023, 10:13:01 PMI agree with my friend as well, Bud. But we did learn that a hen with a beard and spurs is POSSIBLE!!! I like everyone else, has seen bearded hens, just not with spurs. So this was a good conversation for sure. Keep your pictures coming, hopefully we will get a picture of him on top of a hen!!!! Then we'll definitely know!!!
Pat hasn't showed up in the past few days! I'm getting a tad worried!
He/she was visiting almost daily there for a while. I'll update with a pic when it shows up again.
I did change the settings on my camera to video to see if it acted lethargic/sick but seem to act healthy.
I'm starting to think it's a wormy gobbler like your buddy. It appears to have gobbler feet too. Just a tiny little
head.
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Have a good one and May God bless, Bo
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: Hwd silvestris on February 08, 2023, 07:17:17 PM
Post by: Hwd silvestris on February 08, 2023, 07:17:17 PM
A close up picture from today
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: runngun on February 08, 2023, 08:28:23 PM
Post by: runngun on February 08, 2023, 08:28:23 PM
Yes indeed that is the best picture you have gotten. I am going to send it forward. Thanks
Have a good one, Bo
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Have a good one, Bo
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Title: Re: Hen with a beard & spurs
Post by: ChesterCopperpot on February 08, 2023, 08:30:58 PM
Post by: ChesterCopperpot on February 08, 2023, 08:30:58 PM
Quote from: Hwd silvestris on February 08, 2023, 07:17:17 PMI'd really thought hen until now, but after this picture I think the sickly gobbler idea is right.
A close up picture from today
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