This is a classic example of what is commonly referred to as “Beard Rot”.
FeatherTech research proves that this is not caused by fungus, mites or freezing. Contrary to these common myths, our research has proven that this condition is due to nutritional deficiencies. We found that these weak areas of the beard occur as the result of deficiencies of specific nutrients in the wild turkey’s diet. These weak lines are more accurately described as nutritional stress lines. |
Because the beard grows continuously, even a short term nutritional deficiency causes
this weak area to develop in the turkey beard.
The severity of the stress line correlates with the degree and duration of the nutritional deficiency.
The photo above is an example of the exact same condition as the upper left photo, but is just a less severe case. Regardless of the severity of the stress line, the bristles will break at this point when the beard drags the ground or other stresses occur such as ice accumulation etc. |
