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| Bearded hens http://vaturkey.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9939 |
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| Author: | strutstopper [ Thu May 18, 2017 2:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Bearded hens |
So I thought bearded hens were relatively uncommon. I saw a bearded Rio hen in TX 4 years ago but have never seen one in VA. I ended up harvesting 2 this year, one w/ a 7.75" beard & the other w/ an 8" beard. 2 buddies I talked to said they see them at their places but everyone else I talked to says they're pretty uncommon. Both birds were taken in different counties close to an hour apart. From what I understand, it's a testosterone / hormonal imbalance right? Is it hereditary (genetic)? Reason I'm asking is b/c one of the properties I hunt has a quite a few of them there. |
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| Author: | WVBOY [ Thu May 18, 2017 2:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bearded hens |
I believe it is a genetic trait.. so if you see one in an area you may see more.. I remember reading somewhere that it occurs in about 10% of the population overall. I have seen probably 15 to 20 over my years of hunting.. never killed one, could have a couple of times.. but was always waiting on Mr. Tom, and I never feel right about killing future gobblers that might be in a nest somewhere in the spring. |
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| Author: | Bird Dog [ Thu May 18, 2017 6:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bearded hens |
It's just a little superficial genetic variation. Like a gobbler with 2 or more beards. |
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| Author: | Gobblenow [ Thu May 18, 2017 8:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bearded hens |
Ive seen a bunch over the years in various places I have hunted. One place i scout a good bit had three in a 15 bird flock this winter, and i think one of those has been there for maybe three years. I have several pictures of them. Like WVB l never had the desire to shoot one, but they are legal so its the hunters decision. |
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| Author: | Greyghost [ Mon May 22, 2017 3:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bearded hens |
Like GN and WVBoy I too never had the desire to shoot one, get the feeling it would be bad luck. From what I read it is about 1 in 100 hens have beards. Although they say many are capable of laying and hatching. I see maybe 3 every spring and fall at the Q. and from the reports there is sightings in about every area. Earl |
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| Author: | VaBoy [ Mon May 22, 2017 5:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bearded hens |
For what it's worth , in talking to Gary Norman , he once told me that from a purely statistical point of view, bearded hens are better brood hens , i.e. , they tend to rear more poults. Regardless, never had the desire to shoot one and if Gary is right , all the more reason not to. |
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| Author: | Vic [ Thu Jun 01, 2017 8:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bearded hens |
I've never seen a bearded hen but a friend saw one on post up here. I have seen women with more and less facial hair. I would assume it is no different for turkeys. Guess some hens are just more burly than others. V |
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