what the heck is on my turkey?

[Jkioneil]

my white domestic turkey has a black thing on her chest looks crazy sticks out what is it? is it normal? is it some kind of parasite? never had turkeys before and have no idea what the heck it is or if it is supposed to be there thanks

 

[Gerbil]

It sounds like a beard, sometimes the females get them to.

 

[Randy]

Yep sounds like a beard to me too. All males get them and as been stated some females. Perfectly normal.

 

[PatS]

Does it look and feel kind of like a small bit of black brillo pad? If so, it is a "beard." This is also my first year with turkeys, so I have no idea how big they get.

 

[ziggywiggy]

It's a beard don't worry. They grow slow on hens to where they look like a little stub. Toms will grow about an 1 1/2" a year. It's a good way to tell the age of Toms.

 

[Jkioneil]

looks kinda gross can you trim it?

 

[wilds of pa]

maybe your jenny is a jake..?

what sub species of turkey is it?

 

[ColbyNTX]

I wouldn't trim it but you could. I have a 2 year old blue slate hen that has a beard that is about 1 1/2". It looks funny on her but she doesn't mind!

 

[Lagerdogger]

Oh, don't trim it! Turkey beards are part of turkeys! Once it grows out it will look more like a normal part of the bird. Trimming it would be like cutting off the snood or a toe. Turkeys have all kinds of weird features, but thats what makes them what they are

 

[kuntrygirl]

Don't trim it. Beards are cute! Take a pic and post if you can.