A bearded hen with a 7 1⁄2-inch beard was caught by Paul Rouse of Bryan’s Road, Maryland. He asked how rare these birds are. Dr. Tom gives us the statistics behind bearded hens and a few notes on their ability to reproduce.
Wild turkey beards emerge from a point on the skin of the upper breast called a papilla. Almost all gobblers have at least one papilla and are capable of growing beards. The average incidence rate of hen turkeys with beards 10%. Hens with beards occur in all five subspecies of wild turkey. Bearded hens are more common in Merriam’s subspecies (19%) and not as common in Osceola hens (less than 1%).
A closer look at banding records for 1,515 Eastern wild turkey hens revealed that 133 hens (8. 7%) had beards. Among the 903 adult hens within that sample of banded hens, 126, or 13. 95%, were bearded; however, of the 612 juvenile hens only 7 (1. 14%) sported beards. There are two reasons for that difference. First, biologists handling wild turkeys seldom check hens for beards unless the beard is visible. Hen beards grow more slowly and are generally thinner (fewer bristles) than gobbler beards. Therefore, beards are less likely found on juvenile hens if captured in their first winter.
The rate of bearded hens may go up as hen turkeys get older, but there is no evidence that the rate changes. It’s more likely that the number of hens that can grow beards stays the same, but young hens don’t have beards that are long enough to be seen.
Most adult bearded hens have beards that are 6 to 8 inches in length. The longest hen beard I have seen was a shade over 9 inches but was quite thin. Bearded hens are capable of laying eggs and raising broods. No research has shown that they are more likely to produce bearded offspring than “clean-shaven” hens.
Bearded hen turkeys are a fascinating oddity in the wild turkey world While most people are familiar with the impressive beards sported by male turkeys, called toms, few realize that some hens can also grow beards But just how rare is it for a hen to have a beard? Let’s take a closer look.
What is a Bearded Hen?
A bearded hen is simply a female turkey that has grown a beard. Wild turkey beards are specialized feathers that protrude from the chest In toms, beards are generally long, thick, and very noticeable. However, bearded hens tend to have much thinner and shorter beards, usually only 6-8 inches long
So what causes a hen to grow a beard when most do not? Researchers aren’t exactly sure. The most prevalent theory is that it is related to higher levels of testosterone in certain hens. Just as higher testosterone causes beard growth in toms, it likely triggers beard growth in some hens too. There may also be genetic factors at play.
How Common are Bearded Hens?
Bearded hens are definitely not an everyday sight, but they aren’t as rare as you might think. Estimates vary, but research suggests that around 5-10% of hens have beards. The frequency seems to depend on the particular population. Some flocks have very few bearded hens, while others have higher numbers.
Though not common, bearded hens are frequent enough that many turkey hunters have encountered them. In fact, sightings are reported often enough on turkey hunting forums and groups to show they aren’t extraordinarily rare. However, encountering a hen with a very long, full beard is quite uncommon and would be notable.
Do Bearded Hens Act Differently?
While bearded hens certainly look different than non-bearded hens, they behave just the same. Bearded hens successfully mate, lay clutchs of eggs, incubate eggs, and raise poults like any other hen. Their beards likely develop due to hormonal differences, but do not seem to affect their typical hen behavior or abilities.
There is an old wives tale that bearded hens produce toms with multiple beards. However, there is no evidence to support this. Bearded hens appear to produce normal broods of poults. Their offspring are no more likely to have multiple beards than those of non-bearded hens.
Why Do Some States Allow Bearded Hens to be Harvested?
Though uncommon, bearded hens are legal game in many states during spring turkey hunting seasons. This may seem counterintuitive, as most hunters try to avoid shooting hens. However, there are a few reasons states allow bearded hen harvests.
For one, allowing bearded hen harvests makes things simpler for hunters. They can shoot any bearded turkey instead of having to confirm it is a tom first. It also provides additional hunting opportunity. In addition, since bearded hens are relatively uncommon, allowing their limited harvest does not negatively impact overall flock numbers or reproduction. Research shows sustainable turkey populations can absorb some hen loss.
However, not everyone agrees with hunting bearded hens. Some argue it promotes excessive hen shooting or controversially increases hunting limits. Others believe bearded hens are too valuable to overall flock health to allow harvesting. This difference of opinion keeps the debate ongoing.
While bearded ladies stand out among wild turkey flocks, they aren’t as rare as you may think. Up to 10% of hens may sport 6-8 inch beards, though the percentage varies by region. Though they look different, bearded hens behave like normal hens and reproduce successfully. Their offspring are no more prone to multiple beards. The rarity and value of bearded hens divides turkey hunters regarding whether harvesting them is appropriate. However, limited harvests appear to not significantly impact turkey numbers. So while not an everyday occurrence, spotting a bearded hen remains a neat surprise for any turkey hunter or enthusiast.
Ask Dr. Tom : Bearded Hens
FAQ
What are the odds of a bearded hen turkey?
How rare is it for a hen turkey to have a beard?
How rare is a 5 bearded turkey?
Are bearded hens rare?
Although uncommon, bearded hens aren’t rare in most wild turkey populations. Scott Walter, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ upland bird ecologist, said: “Although I’ve never observed a hen strutting, I’d be willing to bet this is true of most hunters. It’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Do bearded hens have a beard?
No one in my network of hunting friends and acquaintances has seen one, even though most of us have seen hens with a beard. In all cases, the bearded hens acted like any other hen as they fed and moved about the woods. Although uncommon, bearded hens aren’t rare in most wild turkey populations.
What is the longest beard a hen has?
The longest beard ever recorded was nearly 23 inches; anything over 12 inches is considered extremely unique. There are some cases where toms will have multiple beards. It is not uncommon to see a double beard, but triples and beyond are considered very rare. The most beards ever found on a turkey was 13! Sometimes hens will sport a beard.
Are bearded hens legal in Georgia?
Either way, bearded hens are not legal game in the state of Georgia. In some areas they are; Florida, for example, defines legal game during spring turkey season as “bearded turkey or gobbler.” Not so in GA, which specifies “gobblers.” Come turkey season, I hunted long and hard for a mature gobbler, beginning on opening morning.
Are bearded hens legal?
Interestingly, bearded hens are legal to be harvested in many states during spring hunting seasons. I suggest that this regulation is largely a relic of days past, when agencies were trying to maximize opportunities for hunters to take birds.
Should bearded hens be harvested during spring?
In that vein, the allowance to harvest bearded hens during spring is more of a social consideration than a biological one. Regardless, the take home is that bearded hens are just like any other hens – they contribute to the productivity that sustains and drives our wild turkey populations.