Bred to Perfection

In this episode we address a belief many breeders share, and that is, “it’s better to introduce new blood rather than to create their own strain.” Listen in as we discuss why adding and infusing new blood is not the answer, and that there is a better way. There are many misconceptions that breeders use to justify this practice, and we address them here. We also talk with one of our members of the Breeders Academy, and help her to reach her goals. This episode is packed with great information, and one you do not want to miss.

Today, we are talking with Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo, a Poultry Veterinarian from UC Davis.  In this episode, we will talk about Fowl Pox, what causes the disease, how to prevent infection, and what to do if your birds get infected. This is an episode of Bred to Perfection that you do not want to miss. 

Today, we are talking with Patrick who lives in the UK, but is originally from Ireland.  And, he raises Irish Games. He’s also a member of a group of breeders that are working to preserve these birds for the betterment of future breeders. This is a special breed of fowl that has a rich history, which goes back to 500 AD. Patrick belies this breed predates the Vikings, when they came to Ireland. In fact, American Games owe much of their existence to the Irish Gamefowl. Not only do the American Games have Old English Games Spanish Games, and Aseel’s, they also have the Irish blood in them, and a lot of it as well.  In this episode, we are going to talk with Patrick, and help him improve his poultry husbandry practices and Farm Management practices, but we walk him through important topics, such as, how to build the proper brood pens

In this episode, we are talking with Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo about the practice and importance of biosecurity.  Most Breeders don’t understand biosecurity, and the importance of keeping your bird safe from the exposure of disease. Some of us have strains that we’ve been keeping for over 30 years. Losing our birds to disease would be a travesty. What we are going to talk about today, if you follow it, will save your flock, and protect those valuable and irreplaceable strains.  It’s so much easier to prevent disease than it is to try and cure a sick bird. In most cases birds that were sick become chronic and never fully recover. And disease can spread very quickly throughout the yard.  There’s a lot of good information packed into this episode that I know you do not want to miss. 

In this episode, we are helping Mike Badger, host of the popular poultry show, called “The Pastured Poultry Talk Podcast,” To create a strain that can meet his needs, and the needs of his customers. Does he breed, raise and sell pure fowl, or does he use his pure fowl to create hybrid crosses? Join our conversation as we discuss ways to achieve his goals. There’s a lot of good information packed into this episode that I know you will not want to miss. 

In this episode, we are talking with Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo from UC Davis about their new Gamefowl Wellness Program, which is designed to help backyard breeder, specially, breeders of American Games, to raise and breed heather birds, and to protect their birds from future outbreaks of Newcastle’s Disease. There’s a lot of good information packed into this episode that I know you will not want to miss. 

In this episode, we are talking with a fish breeder. What’s interesting here is that he uses the same breeding methods as chicken breeders. He has a wonderful understanding of genetics, and many of his goals are the same as ours. There is a lot all of us can learn from this interview. 

In this episode of Bred to Perfection, we are talking about what constitutes contamination and the effects it can have on your strain and the future of their breed. Whether you are creating a strain, or working to improve an established strain, the introduction of the wrong blood can set you back for years. It could even destroy the strain forever. Join us as we talk about what this means and how to prevent this from happening to you and your strain.  We also talk about the functions and benefits of using sub-lines. I know you will find this interesting as well. 

In this episode, we talk about defects and why they are detrimental to the success and future of our fowl, and why it’s important to recognize and cull all fowl expressing defects. The truth is, most breeders are not aware of half the defects that exist. It could be sitting right in front of them, and they would not see it. 

Today we are talking with Dereck, from Kentucky, and a member of the Breeders Academy. He wants to create a strain from the birds he already has on his farm, and is wondering if it’s a good idea, and if so, how. In this episode, we start by evaluating the potentiality of his fowl, and walk him through the selection and breeding process. This is a good episode for most listeners and breeders, because we address many issues that can effect the success and progress of building and creating a new strain.