Hen with a beard & spurs

[Hook hanger]

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.

[runngun]

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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[Hwd silvestris]

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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I 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. 
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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[runngun]

PM sent.

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[WV Flopper]

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.

[Hwd silvestris]

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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[MK M GOBL]

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

[Hwd silvestris]

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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[cassga]

Pretty wild! That's a first for me.

[runngun]

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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[runngun]

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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[Sir-diealot]

Scientific?   Can't help you.   But I did stay at a Holiday one time

Is that where all the top biologists stay? Now I know where to catch up with Michael Chamberlain. He stopped talking to me.

[Hwd silvestris]

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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[runngun]

Thanks, I'll forward them to him.

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[Haypatch]

I've seen several bearded hen's but never a spurred hen!! Thats very unique!!