How fast does a turkeys beard grow?

[KYLimbHanger]

What is your thoughts/ideas? I was thinking maybe up to 3-4 inches a year?

[huntn4bucks]

3-5 inches per year is typical

[pointing_dogs_rule]

I am going to stick my neck out on this question.

Here in northeast Iowa I see lots of Jakes: 2-3 inch long beards. After that I tend to only see "adults" with beards 8 1/2 - 11+ (unless multibeards). I do NOT disagree with the above poster, however, if that is true why do I NOT see any birds in the spring with 5-6 inch long beards?? Very good question!!!! Any other thoughts?

good luck to all.
the dog

[huntinsonovagun]

I always thought jakes were 3-5" and 2 yr. olds were 8-11", which would be 3-5 inches per year??????????

PDR- Remember, you are probably seeing the beards and estimating from the distance OUTSIDE of the feathers, so maybe there is another 1-2" inside

Just some of my random thoughts.....

[RatherBowHunt]

[ QUOTE ]
i wonder how much beard is wore off or broke off each year? I've heard years with deep snows the beards will freeze and snap off!

[/ QUOTE ]

that is called beard rot if im not mistaken...

[maytom]

From what I've read on it, they claim a turkey's beard will grow up to 5" per year!! Problem is as they are bent over feeding and walking, the ground will keep them trimmed to a certain length just by the beard dragging on the ground. Some turkeys are born with longer legs, hence they will end up with longer beards!!!

[HeviShot]

Do they make a feed that will grow a bigger taller bird?Or make his beard stronger so that it want break as easy?

[spyderpancake]

It seems to me that the jakes will have 2-4"beards and the next year they are full length.It doesn't look like they get any longer the next year, I guess b/c the bottom wears off, but I think the get fuller?

[JoshM]

[ QUOTE ]
From what I've read on it, they claim a turkey's beard will grow up to 5" per year!! Problem is as they are bent over feeding and walking, the ground will keep them trimmed to a certain length just by the beard dragging on the ground. Some turkeys are born with longer legs, hence they will end up with longer beards!!!

[/ QUOTE ]You learn something new each day...i neveer knew that

[Nick]

I think alot of it has to do with genetics and also nutrition as to how much the beard will grow, just like in deer antlers. Ive shot 2 year olds with 8 1/2", 9 3/4", and 10 1/4" beards. And Also some turkeys will have "paintbrush" beards and others will have very thin beards. Ive read that TYPICALLY a beard wont get much longer than 11-12" due to when the bird feeds the beard will rub on the ground and as it grows the end wears off. And also as said above, when it gets cold out sometime the beards will freeze to the ground or something its touching and it will break off. Thats just what i tend to believe.