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!In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we sit down with Whitney from Bissonnette Acres to talk about the Indio Gigante, a massive chicken breed developed in Brazil for meat production and now turning heads in the U.S. for its size, docility, and dinosaur-like appearance. Whitney shares her experience raising these birds, what makes them different from other large fowl like Brahmas or Ayam Cemani, and the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, and selective breeding to avoid leg issues like perna bamba.We discuss the origin story of this “government chicken,” how to spot a quality Indio Gigante, and ongoing efforts to develop a U.S. breed standard. Whether you’re curious about their blue eggs, their predator-deterring size, or why they need low protein diets and lots of space—this episode delivers all the poultry nerdy details.🦖 Are these the chickens that prove dinosaurs are still among us? Tune in and decide for yourself.🔑 Keywords:Indio Gigante chickens, tallest chicken breed, Brazilian chicken breed, perna bamba, Indio Gigante care, raising giant chickens, Indio Gigante feed, Whitney Bissonnette Acres, Ayam Cemani, poultry breeding, exotic chicken breeds, backyard chicken podcast, meat chickens, SOP for Indio Gigante, poultry leg health, predator-proof chickens 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!Discover the charming world of button quail! Jennifer shares her journey raising these tiny birds, tips on brooding, feeding, housing, and how custom nutrition boosted hatch rates. Whether you're breeding or keeping them as indoor pets, this episode covers it all.  In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and Jennifer dive into the care, breeding, and quirks of button quail. Learn how to brood them successfully, avoid feed pitfalls, and why these micro quail are becoming trendy indoor companions. A must-listen for quail lovers and aspiring breeders!Button quail careRaising button quailBrooding button quail chicksButton quail feedBest feed for button quailButton quail breeding tipsCustom quail nutritionIndoor button quail petsTiny quail speciesButton quail hatching guideButton quail housing setupHow to sex button quailButton quail for reptile showsButton quail aviary ideasQuail as indoor petsButton quail behaviorQuail egg productionHigh hatch rate button quailButton quail brooder setupGame bird nutrition 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 fascinating episode of Poultry Nerds, Jennifer is joined by Jeanette from The Livestock Conservancy and Deborah from High Ground Farm to shine a spotlight on one of America’s rarest heritage chicken breeds — the Black Java. Thought to be nearly extinct, these beautiful long-backed birds boast rich green iridescent plumage, gentle temperaments, and deep historical roots dating back to the early 1800s.Deborah shares her firsthand experience raising Java chickens since 1999 and explains why they’re perfect for homesteaders. Jeanette offers expert insight into conservation efforts, census data, and the challenges of keeping this breed alive in the face of industrial agriculture trends.If you've never heard of the Java chicken — or thought they were extinct — this episode is a must-listen! Discover where to find them, how to raise them, and how YOU can help preserve this incredible piece of poultry history.📍 Topics include:Java chicken origins and unique traitsWhy they’re critically endangeredHistorical role in American agricultureThe importance of slow-growing, dual-purpose breedsChallenges in breeding and show standardsConservation efforts and how to get involvedBlack Java chicken, Java chicken history, endangered chicken breeds, heritage poultry, homesteading chickens, Livestock Conservancy, slow-growing chicken breed, dual-purpose chicken, Java rooster, poultry breed conservation, homestead farming, APA standard chicken breeds, black feathered chickens, American chicken breeds🔗 Learn more or join the conservation movement: https://livestockconservancy.org🎧 Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast platform! 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

Discover how daylight affects the reproductive cycles of chickens and quail, especially during seasonal changes. Explore the impact of artificial lighting on molting, egg production, and bird behavior. Learn about using LED and rope lights to manage laying schedules and minimize stress. Uncover the effects of light spectra, comparing blue and red lighting on fertility. Get practical tips for optimal lighting conditions and nutritional strategies to support your flock. Personal anecdotes add humor to the technical insights, making it entertaining and informative!

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!In this egg-citing episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and Jennifer are joined by Nolie from Mojo Homestead Official to crack open the colorful world of rainbow egg genetics. From breeding true blue egg layers like Ameraucanas to creating Olive Eggers with rich, speckled shells, this episode dives deep into the science, myths, and breeding strategies behind green, pink, mauve, and even “dirty river water” eggs.Whether you're just starting out or refining a multi-generational olive egger line, you'll learn how pigment layers, homozygous genes, and selective backcrossing play a role in egg color outcomes. Plus, hear real breeder stories, common mistakes to avoid, and how to choose quality stock for your rainbow flock. Topics Include:Homozygous blue egg genes explainedF1 Olive Eggers vs. later generationsSpeckles, blooms, and egg "toner"Tips for managing Morans, Ameraucanas, and Olive EggersWhy breeding olive to olive isn’t as predictable as you thinkReal-world lessons from a Florida storm-surviving breederPerfect for beginner and advanced poultry breeders looking to master egg color genetics the right way!Olive Eggers, rainbow egg chickens, egg color genetics, Ameraucana vs Easter Egger, how to breed Olive Eggers, Morans chickens, green egg layers, pink eggs, poultry genetics, backcrossing Olive Eggers, homestead chickens, Mojo Homestead 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! 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 deep-dive episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we're joined once again by our resident poultry veterinarian, Dr.  Morishita, to tackle one of the most misunderstood and hotly debated topics in the poultry world—Marek’s Disease.We break down the science behind this deadly herpesvirus, how it spreads through feather dander, and why vaccination is the only real defense. Dr. Morishita explains the four main symptoms of Marek’s, how to identify them, and whether it's even possible to maintain a Marek’s-free flock.Plus, we get answers to your biggest questions:Can vaccinated birds spread the virus?Is turkey dander protective?Do herbal remedies work?How can you safely necropsy your own birds?Can you test for Marek’s in a live bird?🔬 Whether you're a backyard poultry keeper, gamefowl breeder, or raising exhibition chickens—this episode is packed with must-know facts that could save your flock.🧬 Keywords: Marek’s disease in chickens, Marek’s vaccine, backyard poultry health, poultry vet advice, chicken tumors, gray eye disease, necropsy chickens, feather dander virus, poultry podcast 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!Wondering why your chickens look half-naked and stopped laying? In this Poultry Nerds Q&A episode, we answer the top 20 questions about molting in poultry—what it is, when it happens, how to support birds with proper nutrition, and the best housing tips to reduce stress. Whether you're raising layers, show birds, or backyard chickens, you'll learn how to help your flock thrive during this natural but stressful season. We’ll talk molting rations, protein needs, lighting, housing, and common molt mistakes—so your birds bounce back with healthy new feathers and strong immune systems. 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!What starts with a few backyard chickens can spiral into a full-scale farming operation before you even know what hit you. In this kickoff episode of Next Level Nerds: From Hobby to Hustle, hosts Jennifer and Carey get real about how they each went from “just a few birds” to running multi-layered ag businesses — from breeding, shipping, and selling hatching eggs to creating feed brands, running delivery routes, and launching podcasts.If you’ve ever wondered how to offset your feed bill (or justify those extra goats), this episode is for you. Whether you’re looking to start selling eggs, launch a side hustle, or go full-time farmpreneur, this series is your crash course in turning passion into profit—without losing the joy in the process.hobby farming, poultry business, homestead income, farm side hustle, backyard chickens, hatching eggs, selling chicks, farm entrepreneurship, gamefowl business, quail farming, small farm startup, farm podcast, farm business ideas, NPIP, breeding poultry, livestock business, homestead to business 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 of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we’re joined by Danny from the Chicken Coop Company to talk all things predator prevention for backyard chickens. Whether you're battling raccoons, foxes, coyotes, or the real danger—your neighbor’s dog—this episode breaks down practical, real-world solutions to protect your flock.We discuss coop design features that work, the best materials to use (like hardware cloth vs. chicken wire), how predators behave (from raccoons to hawks), and why infrastructure matters more than people realize. You’ll also hear some wild stories—from dogs trained not to chase chickens, to building coops strong enough to deter even the craftiest critters.🔨 Coop building tips 🛡️ Anti-dig barriers and predator aprons 🦊 How foxes, raccoons, and hawks break in 📦 Shipping coops that assemble like IKEA 🐔 What not to do if you want to keep chickens safeDon’t miss this funny, info-packed episode that’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned poultry pros.chicken coop predator proofing, backyard chicken safety tips, raccoon proof chicken coop, chicken wire vs hardware cloth, how to keep chickens safe, predator apron for chicken coop, best chicken coop for backyard, chicken coop design tips, chicken predator prevention, Chicken Coop Company podcast, poultry nerds podcast 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