Turkey Hunting Forum

Western NY here...

The jake I thought I killed this morning turned out to be a bearded hen. A first for me... Went to butcher her and discovered that the feathers on her chest were gone. In fact, I didn't have to pull one feather to get to the breast bone and breast meat. Everything else looked ok. No apparent sores, or tumors, and the like... Is it common for hens to be missing feathers on their chest? Did she pluck 'em herself for her nest? Is this a diseased bird?

...befuddled.

Hens and gobbles wear they down/off. They lose them from sitting on the roost tree limb, during breeding as well as the hens sitting the nest! Not really unusual to have missing breast feathers, having said that does sound like more than usual!! Nice going on the bearded lady!

Most of the gobblers wear the feathers off by breading. The gobbler I shot on opening day had no feathers on his breast plate. He was working the hens over I assume. Not sure if your bearded hen was trying to be the next Catelyn Jenner but you never know!

lol.. U funny!!

I am also interested to know if there are any couponssuch as Amazon Coupons. Covid 19 has really made a drastic effect on the life of an individual. Saving on a regular basis is much to survive.

warm regards
Jackiee