

Poultry Nerds Podcast: A conversation about chicken, quail and turkeys with a side of humor
Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon
Jennifer Bryant of Bryant's Roost and Carey Blackmon of Show Pro Farm Supply are here to discuss backyard chicken keeping. This show dives deep into flock management, poultry health, hatching eggs, brooding chicks, predator-proofing, and biosecurity.We cover everything from chicken coop tips to quail farming, heritage breeds, and even NPIP certification. Each episode is packed with real-world advice, expert interviews, and practical tips for egg production, chicken behavior, and integrating new birds into your flock.With all your favorite breeders, our guests round out the nerd table with the most information.If you're a beginner or a lifelong poultry nerd, this chicken keeping podcast will help you raise healthier birds, hatch with confidence, and grow your homestead. Tune in and nerd out with us!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 15, 2025 • 41min
Summertime Hatching Hacks: Mastering Humidity & Avoiding Incubator Fails
send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Join Carey and Jennifer in this lively episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast as they crack open the secrets to successful summertime hatching! Discover essential tips on humidity control, preventing common incubator mistakes, and the hilarious realities of poultry parenting. From handling incubator maintenance (without breaking the bank) to navigating humidity spikes, this episode equips you with practical solutions to improve your hatch rates. Plus, enjoy some entertaining "egg-ventures" and cautionary tales from the world of poultry social media. Tune in for laughs, learning, and lots of poultry wisdom!Keywords:Summertime hatching, incubator humidity, poultry incubation tips, incubator cleaning, chick hatching humidity, poultry podcast, humidity control incubators, troubleshooting incubators, dry hatching, egg candling tips, hatch rates improvement, backyard poultry, incubator airflow, poultry care, beginner incubation tips 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

May 8, 2025 • 32min
Welsh Harlequins Uncovered: Breeding, Color Phases, and Mentorship with Tyrel
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 diving deep into the world of Welsh Harlequin ducks with returning guest Tyrel, a seasoned breeder and duck enthusiast. 🦆 From the breed's unique Tennessee import history to the auto-sexing traits, color phase differences (silver vs. gold), and the nuances of eclipse vs. nuptial plumage, this episode is packed with insight for both beginners and serious waterfowl breeders.Tyrell shares stories from showing against legendary breeders, gives tips on selecting for correct bill and leg color, and explains why type matters more than color in sustainable breeding programs. We also break down how to tell a quality Harlequin from hatch, why mentorship in poultry breeding is invaluable, and the importance of staying a lifelong student of the hobby.Whether you're a duck keeper, breeder, or just duck-curious—this episode is for you!🌐 Visit us at www.poultrynerdspodcast.com 🐣 Brought to you by ShowPro Farm Supply – Feed the Difference.Welsh Harlequin ducks, duck breeding tips, poultry podcast, auto-sexing ducks, duck color genetics, duck showing, waterfowl care, beginner duck breeding, poultry mentorship, exhibition ducks 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

May 1, 2025 • 50min
What the Crap Is Wrong With My Chicken? Jeff Mattocks Talks Poop, Feed & Mycotoxins
send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!💩 Welcome to the Poultry Nerds Podcast — where no question is too weird and no topic too gross to cover… especially when it comes to poop!In this explosively informative episode, we're joined by the legendary Jeff Mattocks, poultry nutrition expert and feed formulator, to answer the #1 mystery in backyard poultry: "What the crap is wrong with my bird?"Jeff breaks down:What normal vs. abnormal chicken manure looks likeSigns of mycotoxins in poultry feed and droppingsThe truth about wet feed, fermentation, and feed spoilageHow to recognize Clostridium, coccidiosis, and nutritional imbalancesWhy apple cider vinegar is not the enemyThe power of Redmond Conditioner and natural mycotoxin bindersSecrets to interpreting color, texture, and smell of poultry poopWhy poop tells the story of your flock’s healthWe also laugh through talk of pigs, turkeys, ducks, and why raising poultry is just like raising kids — only more rewarding.📌 Whether you're a backyard poultry keeper, show bird enthusiast, or just curious about what your chicken’s poop is telling you — this is one you do not want to miss.✅ Subscribe to Poultry Nerds Podcast for more poultry education, expert interviews, and hilarious deep dives into the science of birds, feed, health, and more.chicken poop analysis, poultry mycotoxins, Jeff Maddox poultry, abnormal chicken droppings, what chicken poop means, coccidiosis in chickens, mycotoxins in feed, Redmond conditioner poultry, duck poop explained, Clostridium chickens, chicken health tips, chicken feed safety, poultry manure signs, backyard chicken care, interpreting poultry poop, apple cider vinegar 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

Apr 28, 2025 • 28min
Cracking the Secrets of the 2025 Pips n Chicks Virtual Show with Breanna Patz
send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Join us for an exciting episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast as we dive deep into the highlights and behind-the-scenes secrets of the 2025 Pips n Chicks Virtual Poultry Show with special guest Breanna Patz. Discover insider tips on winning poultry competitions, understand judging criteria, and learn how to prepare your flock for virtual shows. Whether you’re an experienced breeder or new to poultry competitions, this episode is packed with expert advice, practical insights, and fun poultry show stories that will help you elevate your birds to champion status!Keywords: Pips n Chicks, virtual poultry show, poultry competition tips, Breanna Patz, poultry judging criteria, champion poultry breeding, preparing poultry for show, Poultry Nerds Podcast, virtual livestock events, chicken show prep! 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

Apr 24, 2025 • 31min
Master Exhibitor Tyrel Thurston Talks Saxony Ducks, Waterfowl Breeding & Show Secrets
send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we welcome a passionate and knowledgeable guest — Tyrel Thurston — for his first-ever podcast appearance! Based in Montana and soon relocating to Wisconsin, Tyrel is a Master Exhibitor with the APA and ABA, known for his dedication to quality waterfowl and poultry breeding.We dive deep into:The Saxony duck breed — history, temperament, egg production, and show potentialWhat makes Saxony ducks the quadruple threat: egg layers, meat birds, beautiful for exhibition, and pet-worthy personalitiesTyrell's thoughts on line breeding, outcrossing, and how he’s increasing size and quality in his flockIncubation tips and hatch rates (including a 204/209 duckling hatch rate success!)His waterfowl breeding projects, including Black East Indies, Welsh Harlequins, and Gray RowansHow he balances full-time concrete work, poultry breeding, and national showsTyrell shares stories from the road, earning exhibitor awards, and practical advice on raising ducks successfully — whether you’re breeding for show, utility, or backyard pets.💬 Interested in Saxony ducks or want to connect with Tyrell? Reach out to him on Facebook.👉 Subscribe and hit the 🔔 for more in-depth poultry episodes with breeders, experts, and true poultry nerds.Saxony duck breed, Tyrell Thurston, poultry breeder interview, duck breeding tips, waterfowl for show, APA master exhibitor, ABA master breeder, Saxony ducks for show, exhibition poultry podcast, duck hatching tips, best ducks for backyard, Saxony duck egg production, line breeding vs outcrossing, how to breed ducks for size, friendly duck breeds, Saxony ducks personality, 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

Apr 17, 2025 • 41min
Ameraucana vs Easter Egger: Splash Color Genetics, Melanin, and Wing Banding Deep Dive – w/ Gina from Wrather Farms
send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Welcome back to the Poultry Nerds Podcast! In this episode, we're joined again by Gina from Wrather Farms as we dive deep into the genetics, color varieties, and mislabeling surrounding the Splash Ameraucana. What's the difference between a true Ameraucana vs. Easter Egger? We break it all down – from melanin expression, APA standards, and blue egg genetics to leg color, pea combs, and the reality of chick color at hatch.You'll also learn the truth about breeding Splash to Splash, the genetic pyramid behind feather coloring, and whether or not those "chipmunk stripe" chicks are really what the hatchery says they are.Plus — we nerd out on wing banding techniques, color dilution, and using spreadsheets to track flock data like pros. If you're working with Ameraucana chickens, curious about color genetics, or just trying to avoid getting sold an “Americana” imposter, this one’s for you.#Ameraucana #EasterEgger #PoultryPodcast #SplashAmeraucana #ChickenGenetics #BackyardChickens #BlueEggs #HatchingTime #ColorGenetics #WingBanding #APAStandards #ChickenBreeds #PoultryNerdsPodcast 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

Apr 9, 2025 • 41min
From Backyard Chickens to Black Mottled Brahmas: Bronwen Brune w/Queen B Farm Poultry Journey
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 Bronwen Brune w/Queen B Farm in Missouri to discuss her incredible journey from accidental backyard chicken keeper to dedicated breeder of Black Mottled Brahmas. Bronwyn shares her experiences, from dealing with aggressive roosters to mastering complex poultry genetics to create a new, stunning variety. Learn about chicken math, breeding strategies, genetics of mottled feathers, overcoming common poultry challenges, and the reality of creating show-quality birds from scratch. Perfect for both backyard enthusiasts and serious breeders aiming for poultry excellence! 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

Apr 3, 2025 • 46min
Bird Flu & Backyard Flocks: What Every Poultry Nerd Needs to Know (with Dr. Teresa Morishita)
send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Everything You Need to Know About Bird Flu in Backyard Chickens 🐔 | Poultry Nerds Podcast w/ Dr. Teresa MorishitaIn this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Teresa Morishita, a poultry veterinarian and professor of poultry medicine and food safety, to answer all your burning questions about avian influenza (H5N1) and how it affects backyard poultry flocks.👉 What is bird flu and how does it spread? 👉 Can humans catch bird flu from chickens? 👉 What are the symptoms of avian influenza in chickens? 👉 How can you protect your flock with biosecurity? 👉 Do backyard flocks really get infected — and what happens if they do? 👉 Is a vaccine coming?This deep-dive is packed with valuable tips for chicken keepers, homesteaders, exhibition breeders, and anyone who loves their birds. 🐣💛🔬 Featuring real science, real talk, and a lot of nerdy chicken goodness. 🧠 Learn how to build a flock health plan, spot symptoms early, and why “they’re dead” might be the first sign of something serious.📍 Guest: Dr. Theresa Morishita, DVM – Professor at Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine 🎙️ Hosts: Your favorite Poultry NerdsDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more feathered facts!#BirdFlu #AvianInfluenza #BackyardChickens #ChickenHealth #Biosecurity #PoultryVeterinarian #FlockManagement #H5N1 #PoultryPodcast #ChickenKeepers #HomesteadChickens #PoultryNerds #VeterinaryMedicine #PoultryCare 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

Mar 27, 2025 • 38min
Poultry Terminology 101: What’s a Pullet, a Cockerel & Why Grit Isn’t Just a Southern Thing
Dive into the quirky world of poultry terminology! Discover the differences between chicks, pullets, and cockerels while unraveling the mystery of 'straight run.' Learn why grit and oyster shell are crucial for your flock's health. Amusing anecdotes highlight the challenges of chicken wire versus hardware cloth in protecting your birds. Plus, gain insights into feeding, brooding, and the behaviors of your feathery friends. Join the laughter and lessons as you expand your poultry knowledge!

Mar 20, 2025 • 42min
Mastering Poultry Breeding: Creating Your Own Strain with Kenny Troiano
Join Kenny Troiano, a poultry genetics specialist and founder of the Breeder's Academy, as he shares invaluable insights on creating your own unique poultry strain. Discover the art of selective breeding and the crucial role of culling and genetic stability in developing a consistent flock. Kenny discusses the benefits of line breeding and the strategic introduction of new genetics, while also addressing the emotional challenges of culling. Get ready to elevate your poultry breeding game with expert advice and practical tips!