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 Bearded hens 
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Longbeard

Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 4:39 pm
Posts: 119
Location: VA
Post 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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Thu May 18, 2017 2:03 pm
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King of Spring
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Joined: Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:33 pm
Posts: 3008
Location: Powhatan, VA
Post 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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Thu May 18, 2017 2:32 pm
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King of Spring

Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2004 4:50 pm
Posts: 2647
Location: central Va
Post Re: Bearded hens
It's just a little superficial genetic variation. Like a gobbler with 2 or more beards.


Thu May 18, 2017 6:04 pm
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Co-Owner/Dog Feeder

Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 10:20 am
Posts: 3774
Post 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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Thu May 18, 2017 8:41 pm
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King of Spring
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Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:12 am
Posts: 2451
Location: Midland, VA
Post 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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Mon May 22, 2017 3:38 pm
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Jake

Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:08 pm
Posts: 36
Location: Climax
Post 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.


Mon May 22, 2017 5:02 pm
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King of Spring

Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:40 am
Posts: 2696
Location: Baltimore, MD
Post 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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Thu Jun 01, 2017 8:57 am
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