Is this a turkey beard?

Found this on my standard bronze this weekend, it's on his breast. At first we thought it was a burr, but it looks like it's attached to his skin. I think he was picking at it. Otherwise he seems happy and healthy. Is he growing a beard?? He's about 4 months old.

hyelaw said:

Found this on my standard bronze this weekend, it's on his breast. At first we thought it was a burr, but it looks like it's attached to his skin. I think he was picking at it. Otherwise he seems happy and healthy. Is he growing a beard?? He's about 4 months old.

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Yes that is the start of his beard.

R2elk said:

Yes that is the start of his beard.

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Shouldn't it be on his chin and not his chest? lol. We have a tom that has the same thing. We thought it was a growth of some kind. Stupidly we wondered if he might have cancer. I was relieved to learn from this site that it's just a harmless beard. Our tom has been sick though. We think it's blackhead based on his symptoms. What's different is that he loses his balance almost like he's dizzy. I didn't see that on the list of blackhead symptoms. I wonder if he could have two separate illnesses. We've had him for around 6 months. I believe he's a Spanish Black. He's very sweet. I hope we can get him to pull through. Any advice is very much appreciated.

keepgit2gthr said:

Shouldn't it be on his chin and not his chest?

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Turkey beards are located on their chest.

It is not uncommon for sick birds to get secondary illnesses due to their weakened states.

keepgit2gthr said:

Shouldn't it be on his chin and not his chest? lol. We have a tom that has the same thing. We thought it was a growth of some kind. Stupidly we wondered if he might have cancer. I was relieved to learn from this site that it's just a harmless beard. Our tom has been sick though. We think it's blackhead based on his symptoms. What's different is that he loses his balance almost like he's dizzy. I didn't see that on the list of blackhead symptoms. I wonder if he could have two separate illnesses. We've had him for around 6 months. I believe he's a Spanish Black. He's very sweet. I hope we can get him to pull through. Any advice is very much appreciated.

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Did your tom recover?

keepgit2gthr said:

Shouldn't it be on his chin and not his chest? lol. We have a tom that has the same thing. We thought it was a growth of some kind. Stupidly we wondered if he might have cancer. I was relieved to learn from this site that it's just a harmless beard. Our tom has been sick though. We think it's blackhead based on his symptoms. What's different is that he loses his balance almost like he's dizzy. I didn't see that on the list of blackhead symptoms. I wonder if he could have two separate illnesses. We've had him for around 6 months. I believe he's a Spanish Black. He's very sweet. I hope we can get him to pull through. Any advice is very much appreciated.

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Black heads disease often envolves an intermediate host such as Cecal Worms, which carry the eggs of the bacteria that causes the disease. When a turkey ingests the infected worms the bacterium gets into its system and begins to cause trouble. This is why you sometimes hear of worming turkeys every couple months to prevent blackheads. If your bird has the symtoms already I believe their are some Antibiotics that could help. I am not sure which ones exactly, but that should be readily available on the internet. It is also usually a good idea to put some Apple Cider Vinegar in the water. This is supposed to bolster the Immune system and might help your turkey fight the disease.