Turkey Hen Beards are Kinky

Ten to fifteen percent of hen turkeys sport a pencil thin beard.  More often than not a hen’s beard will have a kink in it. This is likely because the beard gets bent under them when they sit on their nests in the spring to lay and hatch their eggs.

Since bearded hens mate and raise poults successfully just like any other hen, I would pass on one, even if it is legal to shoot, as it is in my area.