Bred to Perfection Ep253 - The Dark Side of Chicken Breeding: Essential Insights for New Breeders
Breeding isn’t just about producing beautiful birds—it’s a long-term, science-driven commitment that demands grit, knowledge, and emotional resilience. In Episode 253, host Kenny Troiano is joined by Nancy Troiano and Frank Bradley to shine a light on the often-ignored realities of chicken and gamefowl breeding.
This episode takes a no-nonsense look at the hard truths every aspiring breeder must face—from the misunderstood role of inbreeding to the burden of culling. The hosts explore the science behind genetics, the dangers of misinformation, and the critical importance of selection, testing, and long-term planning.
You’ll learn:
- Why inbreeding, when done right, is a cornerstone of building true strains
- How excessive crossbreeding and hybrid vigor myths derail your program
- The importance of understanding monogenic vs. polygenic traits
- Why culling isn’t cruelty, but a breeder’s responsibility
- How overusing medications and supplements can weaken your bloodline
- The hidden influence of mitochondrial DNA and prepotency
- How to spot and manage conformation and structural defects
Plus, the team tackles false authorities, "miracle solutions," and other pitfalls that prey on newcomers.
Whether you're just starting or refining your line, this episode is your wake-up call to the real work behind successful breeding. Forget shortcuts—this is about discipline, science, and dedication.
Key Takeaways:
- Breeding is not for the faint of heart—it’s for those committed to lifelong learning.
- Misconceptions and poor practices are rampant; science and mentorship are your best allies.
- Consistency, not chaos, builds legacy strains.
“Inbreeding doesn’t ruin birds—ignorance does.” – Kenny Troiano
#ChickenBreeding #BreedersAcademy #GeneticsInBreeding #SelectiveBreeding #Gamefowl #PoultryScience #FowlHealth #CullingTruths
Welcome to Bred to Perfection with Kenny, Nancy, and Frank – the go-to podcast for serious breeders who want to master the art and science of selective breeding. Hosted by master breeder Kenny Troiano, his wife and co-host Nancy Troiano, and fellow breeder Frank Bradley, this show talks about the principles of genetics, strain development, health management, and everything you need to breed, raise and maintain high-quality chickens and gamefowl.
Each episode offers practical advice, expert interviews, live Q&A sessions, and real-world insight drawn from decades of hands-on experience. Backed by the Breeders Academy, our online learning platform, Bred to Perfection equips breeders of all levels with the knowledge and tools to build strong, sustainable, and productive breeding programs.
New to the show? We're glad you're here! Tune into today’s episode to get a feel for what Bred to Perfection is all about. Whether you're just starting out or refining your own strain, you'll find something valuable in every conversation.
Fridays at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST on YouTubeJoin Kenny Troiano and guests as they explore advanced breeding techniques, poultry nutrition, health management, and genetic sustainability—all with one goal: helping you create high-quality, long-lasting strains.
See ya there!
Kenny Troiano
Founder of "The Breeders Academy"
We specialize in breeding, and breeding related topics. This includes proper selection practices and the use of proven breeding programs. It is our mission to provide our followers and members a greater understanding of poultry breeding, poultry genetics, poultry health care and disease prevention, and how to improve the production and performance ability of your fowl.
If you are interested in creating a strain, or improving your established strain, you are in the right place.
We also want to encourage you to join us at the Breeders Academy, where we will not only help you increase your knowledge of breeding and advance your skills as a breeder, but improve the quality and performance of your fowl.
If you would like to learn more, go to: https://www.breedersacademy.com