Bred to Perfection

Today we are talking with Don Schrider, who was instrumental in bringing back the Buckeye Chicken. A very special breed, that is not only an American Breed, but was created by a woman, Nettie Metcalf, from Ohio, in the early 1900’s. 

In this episode, I help Kevin to develop breeding programs for each of his strains. He wants to make sure his is starting on the right foot, and making sure his is doing thing properly at the right time. 

A question I get often from our members is, as a breeder, what books are best, and which books should I get first? In this episode, we are going to share some of our favorite books on chickens and chicken breeding. Although we have thousands of books in our library, there’s a handful of books that are considered our go-to-books. These are the books we check out first, and are the most valuable in our collection. As a breeder and teacher of breeding, I have collected a wide range of books. I have books on genetics and poultry genetics. I have books on evolution, biology and evolutionary biology. I have books on ornithology and bird related paleontology books. And of course, I have books on chicken and gamefowl breeding, and animal breeding, as well as books on Incubation and chick care, and poultry husbandry and poultry production. I also have a good collection of poultry nutrition and health care books. Although we have thousands of books in our library, there are always a handful of books that are considered our go-to-books. In this episode, we will be discussing our most used books, our favorite books. On the Breeders Academy, we have a page called “Most Recommend Books,” so that our members can see what books exist, and which books they should add to their library. I believe you will find this episode extremely fascinating.

This episode is a recording from 22 years ago, with my mentor, Tony Saville. We talk about natural selection and artificial selection, and its relationship to the breeding of chickens and gamefowl. I know you will find this very informative. This is a recording we did for an article I was writing. Tony Saville was showing me the relationship between artificial selection and natural selection. And, by selecting like Mother Nature, we could improve our fowl's natural instincts. There are some of us that know about the general nature of natural selection, but one might ask how does it apply to our chickens? Well, listen in and find out. I believe you will find this episode extremely fascinating. To listen to the show and sign up to our Free Breeders Bulletins, click this link. https://www.breedersacademy.com

This is a very special episode of “Bred to Perfection.” We are talking with a young lady, who is not only 10 years old, but she has her own podcast. Best of all, she talks about chickens! If you are a chicken raiser, or a beginner thinking about getting chickens for the first time, this podcast is for you. Jessa is a joy to listen to, and the information she provides is accurate and useful. Jessa shares with us how she got into raising chickens, and why she decided to do a podcast, that she calls “The Chuckling Chicken Podcast.” I would like to encourage everyone to check out her show. Give her a 5-star rating and leave a review. Let’s all show our support and help her in her journey. And hopefully, other children, and adults will follow her lead. To listen to the show and sign up to our Free Breeders Bulletins, click this link.  https://www.breedersacademy.com/category/podcast_show/

In this episode, Kenny Troiano and his wife, Nancy are talking about why the "Age" of your brood fowl is so important the viability of your strain. And, why you should always make sure to breed to youth. If you are in favor of breeding your stags with your pullets, or breeding your old cock with your old hens, this show is for you. To listen to the show and sign up to our Free Breeders Bulletins, click this link. https://www.breedersacademy.com

In this episode, we are talking with Frank Bradley, a breeder of American Games, who lives in Kentucky. We discuss topics related to breeding, culling and selection. We also talk about the Breeders Academy, and what the website has to offer breeders like you. If you are interested in someday joining the Academy, this is a good episode to listen to. Also, make sure to check out the show notes for a complete list of questions and topics that were covered. To listen to the show and sign up to our Free Breeders Bulletins, click this link. https://www.breedersacademy.com

In this episode, we are talking with Master Breeder and Author, Don Schrider, and Master Breeder and ABA Judge, Danny Feathers. Together, we answer many questions and discuss topics related to breeding, culling and selection, which were provided to us by our members and Facebook friends. Join us for lots of fun and laughs. Also, make sure to check out the show notes for a complete list of questions and topics that were covered. To listen to the show and sign up to our Free Breeders Bulletins, click this link. https://www.breedersacademy.com  

I’ve taught the art of selective breeding to many types of breeders, but the breeders I find extremely fascination are the small-scale commercial breeders. They are faced with a monumental problem, how to create a strain that can meet their production needs at a lower cost, do well in their particular environment, and have a high degree of constitutional vigor and good health. To make matters even more difficult, they want to create a strain that can improve each year without adding new, outside blood. In this episode, I will help Will Vogl of the Vogl Homestead Farm from Colorado, a small-scale poultry farmer, to turn his mixed flock of fowl into a productive and profitable family. No matter what fowl you raise, I believe you find this interesting and beneficial. To listen to the show and sign up to our Free Breeders Bulletins, click this link. https://www.breedersacademy.com

Next to selection and knowing your strain really well, the progeny test may be the best tool we breeders have to determine the true value and worth of our brood fowl. In this episode, we will talk about why the progeny test is so important. And, why we believe this method is essential to creating and improving your strain. To listen to the show and sign up to our Free Breeders Bulletins, click this link. https://www.breedersacademy.com