I killed a gobbler about 5 or 6 years ago, that has scaly legs and feet. No swelling or visible sores or oozing, or anything. Looked healthy but, just scaly. Heard about another gobbler killed not far from e that had no beard. Said it looked like it had been cut off to about 1/2". I have heard that mites will chew on beards. Also some gobblers get what they call beard rot. Who knows?