Poultry Nerds Podcast: A conversation about chicken, quail and turkeys with a side of humor

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Welcome back, Poultry Nerds! In this jam-packed episode, Carey and Jennifer dive deep into chicken coop design, comparing fixed coops vs. chicken tractors, winter preparation, predator management, bird density, and how chicken math ALWAYS wins.Whether you’re designing your first backyard coop or upgrading your serious breeding setup, this episode arms you with practical, real-world advice on:Choosing between tractors and stationary coopsWinterizing your birds’ housingKeeping flocks stress-free for better egg production & chick vigorManaging rats, predators, wind, and weatherWhy you ALWAYS end up needing more than one penCoop planning mistakes we’ve learned the hard wayHow livestock, goats, pigs & other animals affect your setupSpacing, bird density, ground maintenance & disease preventionWhy tractors make your grass GREENER (yes, really!)If you want healthier birds, better production, and a coop setup that grows WITH your flock, this is a must-listen. Support the showFeel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping! ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Welcome back, Poultry Nerds! In this packed episode, Jennifer finally gets Carey to spill all the juicy details about his trip to the 2025 Ohio National Poultry Show — one of the largest, loudest, and most legendary poultry events in the country.Carey shares his full unfiltered experience: • Meeting fans and podcast listeners in person • 8,100 crowing birds under one roof • Anxiety, atmosphere, and the unbelievable energy • Gamefowl appearing at the show for the first time • The gorgeous birds… and the birds that should’ve gone straight to chicken dinner • Youth exhibitors with lab coats, trophies bigger than they are, and serious showmanship • Modern Game, Silkies, huge modeled birds, and a stand-out black-and-white Polish that stole the show • What people get wrong about standards • The chaos of the sale barn • Traveling challenges, show specials, and how he avoided another hotel trailer theft • Why Carey might actually show birds next year (even after swearing he wouldn’t)PLUS — Jennifer reveals details from her new feed trial research, why fertility and chick vigor matter more than anything, and how even small breeders can run accurate feed comparisons like the big commercial companies.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to attend the Ohio National… this is the no-filter, boots-on-the-ground episode you don’t want to miss.Ohio National Poultry Show, 2025 poultry show, gamefowl standards, poultry exhibition, youth poultry showmanship, poultry breeding, poultry judging, Polish chickens, Silkie chickens, Modern Game birds, sale barn poultry, chicken shows USA, poultry podcast, gamefowl podcast, poultry community, hatching eggs, feed trials, poultry fertility testing, breeder flock management Support the showFeel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping! ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Have you ever wondered what chicken breed would be best for yourself?  Or even considered ducks instead?  Then how to find a breeder and what to ask them?  We have you covered this week on the podcast.  We created a checklist for you and then go thru it on some possible answers and the reasons why.  We  also published this one to Youtube to show you some items live from Bryant's Roost!Find the checklist on the website at PoultryNerdsPodcast.com Support the showFeel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping! ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Running a farm isn’t easy — especially when you’re balancing hundreds (or thousands) of birds, a full-time job, and family life. In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and the crew get real about how to manage your time, stay organized, and build systems that make poultry farming sustainable.From feeding routines and managing employees (or deciding to do it yourself), to hiring help for cleaning or landscaping — this episode breaks down what it really takes to handle it all. Learn about daily feeding systems, efficient use of tools like Gators and feed trolleys, and how to avoid burnout while keeping your poultry, pigs, and other livestock thriving.👉 Whether you raise quail, chickens, or gamefowl, you’ll gain actionable tips for improving efficiency, managing chores, and finding balance between your farm and your life.🎧 Tune in to hear:Real-life stories of farm help gone wrong (and lessons learned)Practical time-management systems for poultry keepersSmart outsourcing: when to hire, when to DIYFeed routines, animal care workflows, and organization hacksHow to manage distractions and keep your farm running smoothly🐔 Hosts: Carey Blackmon & Jennifer Bryant 📅 Episode Theme: Poultry Farm Systems & Time Management 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Buzzsprout Support the showFeel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping! ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!In this Poultry Nerds Podcast episode, we dive deep into auto-sexing vs sex-linked breeding in quail and chickens. Learn the genetic differences, why auto-sexing doesn’t apply to quail, how sex-linking can boost hatchery efficiency, and why Egyptian × Pharaoh crosses make one of the best-selling sex-linked quail lines.We also have a real conversation about humane CO₂ culling for surplus males, responsible flock management, and how reptile and raw-feeding communities create zero-waste solutions.Perfect for quail breeders, gamefowl enthusiasts, and anyone moving from hobby to business.📌 Key Topics:Auto-sexing vs sex-linked genetics explainedPharaoh & Egyptian cross for sex-linked quailManaging surplus males ethicallyCO₂ euthanasia setup & equipment tipsHow reptile markets reduce wasteTurning your hobby into a profitable poultry business🎧 Listen now and join the conversation at Poultry Nerds Podcastauto sexing quail, sex linked chickens, sex linked quail breeding, quail genetics, Pharaoh quail, Egyptian quail, poultry breeding podcast, humane CO2 culling poultry, reptile feeder quail, raw feeding, poultry business tips, poultry nerds podcast, gamefowl breeding, quail hatchery management Support the showFeel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping! ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!In this episode, co-hosts Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon take a deep dive into how a backyard poultry hobby can evolve into a profitable venture. They share their own stories of transitioning from keeping a few birds “for fun” to managing a business built on eggs, quality genetics, specialty supplies, and savvy marketing.You’ll hear:Their personal journey from raising Orpingtons, ducks, quail, and turkeys to having paying customers.  Challenges of selling “eating eggs” vs. hatching eggs and setting clear boundaries with buyers.  Tips for choosing strong breeding stock and building a niche in a crowded poultry market.  How extra birds or surplus males can be used (e.g. frozen feeders for reptile markets).  The importance of owning your website (vs. relying solely on social media), building SEO, and maintaining control over your content and customer base.  Customer service, boundaries, and how honesty and transparency can build trust and loyalty.  Whether you’re just starting with a backyard coop or already selling eggs, this episode is full of practical business lessons, mindset shifts, and real-world advice.Backyard poultry businessPoultry entrepreneurshipChicken coop to cash flowHatching eggs vs. eating eggsPoultry genetics & breeding stockDiversification in poultry businessWebsite vs. social media for salesCustomer service in agricultureNiche markets (e.g. frozen feeders)Poultry marketing & branding Support the showFeel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping! ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Today we talk about water quality and how it affects chickens plus ways to set up a water system to reduce labor.  Carey is much more innovative than Jennifer and her buckets. Support the showFeel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping! ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Veterinarian Dr. M joins the Poultry Nerds Podcast to unpack chicken genetics and practical care: what vaulted skulls mean in crested breeds (Silkies, Polish), how to safely trim spurs (and what not to do), the real role of combs and wattles in heat regulation, why Vaseline doesn’t prevent frostbite, and humane tips for beak/nail maintenance. We also bust common myths—like “no wattle = sterile rooster”—and discuss caponization, turkey snoods in commercial flocks, and managing rooster behavior responsibly. Perfect for backyard keepers, show breeders, and gamefowl enthusiasts who want science-based, hands-on guidance.What you’ll learnVaulted skulls in crested breeds: risks, handling, and preventionSpur trimming: seeing the quick, filing vs. cutting, infection risksCombs & wattles: heat dissipation, frostbite realities, dubbing contextWinter care: ventilation vs. moisture, recognizing frostbite stagesBeak & nail care: scissor beak management, safe filing, feeding tipsMyth-busting: wattles and fertility, rooster aggression managementCaponization cautions and when to consult a vetKeywords: chicken podcast, poultry podcast, vaulted skulls silkies, chicken spur trimming, combs and wattles, chicken frostbite prevention, beak trimming chickens, scissor beak chickens, rooster aggression, caponization, turkey snood, chicken health, backyard chickens, gamefowl care, poultry husbandry Support the showFeel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping! ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Meet the real people behind the Poultry Nerds Podcast! In this candid, behind-the-scenes episode, Carey and Jennifer interview each other—how Show Pro Farm Supply started, how Bryant’s Roost grew from six dozen quail eggs, what it takes to run a poultry brand and a podcast, and why evidence-based nutrition and incubation matter.We also announce IncubationMasterclass.com—our brand-new, step-by-step Quail Incubation Masterclass (Chicken class next!). Intro price: $17 for lifetime access with printable cheat sheets, one-pagers, and research references. Learn to dial in temps, humidity, egg selection, breeder nutrition (feed tag “gotchas”), and how to get excellent hatch rates—even with a budget incubator.Plus, a first look at Quail Mania 2: more speakers, two days of learning, live chat, giveaways, and year-long access upgrade option. Teasers include Heather Levine, Jerry Landry, Dr. “Moda” (poultry vet), and Brie Pats (data/statistics for breeding + Poultry Pro app)…with many more to be revealed.🎧 What you’ll learnOur origin stories, roles, and how we run the showPractical incubation fixes: low/high temp & humidity, egg selection, breeder feed effectsHow to improve hatch rates with systems, not luckWhat’s new and bigger at Quail Mania 2 (and how to win prizes)🔗 ResourcesIncubation Masterclass (intro $17): IncubationMasterclass.comPoultry Nerds site & episodes: PoultryNerdsPodcast.com Support the showFeel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping! ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Join us on the Poultry Nerds Podcast as we sit down with Craig Hansen, one of the most respected names in the Cochin world. From his start in 4-H projects to breeding award-winning varieties like Silver Laced and Buff Columbians, Craig shares his journey, breeding strategies, and passion for preserving poultry genetics. We dive into show preparation, artificial insemination for fertility, predator challenges, and what it really takes to raise high-quality exhibition chickens.Whether you’re a seasoned breeder or backyard poultry keeper, this episode is packed with insights on chicken breeding, poultry shows, and the dedication behind raising top-quality flocks.Keywords: bantam Cochin chickens, poultry breeding, chicken shows, exhibition poultry, artificial insemination in chickens, poultry genetics, raising bantam chickens, Craig Hansen Support the showFeel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping! ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com