PK360 Audio

The protein percentage may be the first number you notice on a bag of chicken feed—but it cannot tell you the whole nutritional story.In this Audio Edition, Rip Stalvey, Carey Blackmon and livestock nutritionist Jeff Mattocks examine the vitamins, minerals and metabolizable energy that help determine how well poultry use their feed.The conversation explains why minimum nutrient requirements are not necessarily optimum levels, how vitamins support vision, feather development, reproduction and normal immune function, and why minerals must remain in balance rather than being added individually without a plan.You’ll also learn:• Why vitamin A matters to feathers, skin, vision and developing chicks • How vitamin E and selenium work together • What B vitamins may contribute to normal behavior and stress response • Why vitamin C can be useful during heat stress—but difficult to add correctly • How heat, air and long storage can reduce vitamin value • Why excess minerals can interfere with one another • The relationship among calcium, phosphorus and other minerals • What metabolizable energy means on a practical level • Why growing birds need different energy levels at different stages • How to begin evaluating a poultry feed tag more thoughtfullyThis discussion is intended to help poultry keepers ask better questions about feed. It is not a recommendation to add individual vitamins or minerals without knowing the complete diet. More is not automatically better, and some nutrients can become harmful when overused.Helping Poultry Keepers Make Better Decisions.Chapters and timestamps0:00 Why Vitamins Matter in Poultry Diets2:03 Vitamin D, Sunlight and Artificial Lighting4:06 Minimum Requirements vs. Optimum Nutrition10:01 Vitamin A, Feathers and Flock Health15:02 Feed Quality and Breeder Nutrition20:20 Vitamin E and Selenium23:25 B Vitamins and Bird Behavior25:16 Vitamin C and Heat Stress27:11 Protecting Vitamins During Feed Storage30:38 Preventing Vitamin Deficiencies32:09 A Word From Our Sponsor33:28 Why Mineral Balance Matters36:28 Copper in Poultry Drinking Water37:44 How Vitamins and Minerals Work Together40:45 Finding a Quality Poultry Feed43:34 Choosing Fats and Oils45:04 Understanding Metabolizable Energy49:09 Fish Meal and Other Protein Sources50:54 Energy Levels for Conditioning Birds54:19 Feed Labels and Supplemental Selenium56:31 Closing Takeaway and Recommended Episode Prefer the original Video Edition? Watch it here:https://youtube.com/live/YRCGjk2GAfAJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Does a deep orange yolk mean a more nutritious egg? Why do some eggs taste richer or develop a fishy flavor? And what causes watery whites or thin shells?In this Audio Edition of our member-led PK360 egg show, Rip Stalvey hosts a discussion with team members Jeff Mattocks, Carey Blackmon, and Sue Dobson. Together, they work through the questions poultry keepers sent us. We discuss how feed, forage, breed, and the hen herself can affect egg flavor, yolk color, fatty acids, texture, and shell quality. We also talk about what a “complete feed” label tells you when choosing feed for laying hens.The Egg Nutrition and Flavor Research Guide mentioned in the show is available in the Files section of the Poultry Keepers 360 and Poultry Breeders Nutrition Facebook groups. It includes links to nine research papers for keepers who want to explore these questions further.CHAPTERS0:00 What makes a better egg?0:57 What gives eggs their flavor?2:13 Do breed and genetics change egg flavor?4:14 What causes a fishy smell or taste?7:58 Free ranging, flavor, and yolk color11:05 Why yolks differ—and what color tells us17:44 A member question about fragile yolks20:26 Beak and leg color in laying hens25:00 Corn, soy, and omega-enriched feeds35:49 Watery whites, texture, and hard-to-peel eggs38:02 Thin shells, meat spots, and unusual eggs42:08 What does “complete feed” mean?43:38 A word from our sponsor, Fertrell46:25 Research behind feed and egg claims48:01 Egg Nutrition and Flavor Research Guide53:04 Changing protein levels as hens mature55:00 Find past PK360 LIVEs by topic56:09 Selecting hens for egg capacityPoultry Keepers 360: Helping Poultry Keepers Make Better Decisions.Join our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Poor hatch rates are not always the incubator’s fault. Temperature, humidity, airflow, egg quality, breeder nutrition, storage, turning, and even the room where the incubator operates can influence the outcome.In this Audio Edition, the Poultry Keepers 360 team explains how to prepare and fine-tune an incubator, recognize temperature and humidity problems, manage hatching eggs, and make better decisions throughout the incubation process.Topics include:• Preparing an incubator before setting eggs • Choosing the right location • Temperature and humidity targets • Finding hot and cold spots • Using calibrated thermometers and data loggers • Monitoring air-cell development • Turning and storing hatching eggs • Breeder nutrition and chick vigor • Dry incubation • Cleaning and sanitizing dirty eggs • When to remove chicks from the hatcherCHAPTERS0:00 Understanding the incubator’s job1:33 Prepare the incubator before setting eggs2:49 Choosing the right incubator location5:24 Fertility, nutrition, and egg sanitation8:46 Turning eggs correctly10:16 Incubator construction and insulation11:13 Temperature and humidity targets13:44 When to remove chicks from the hatcher16:02 Opening the incubator and recovery time20:41 Finding hot spots and airflow problems26:11 Thermometers, hygrometers, and data loggers31:18 Air-cell development and humidity adjustment34:46 Candling and removing problem eggs37:45 Comparing incubator designs and features44:28 Feeding breeders for better hatching eggs48:50 Cleaning dirty eggs and protecting the bloom55:18 Dry incubation and regional humidity57:12 Storing and turning eggs before incubation1:02:49 How long hatching eggs can be stored1:04:18 Stabilizing a partly filled incubator1:05:33 Hand-turning duck eggs1:08:10 Can poultry be bred year-round?1:13:44 Hatching eggs upright or on their sides1:15:37 Food and water inside the hatcherIf you enjoy thoughtful, experience-based poultry information like this, that’s what this channel is all about.Poultry Keepers 360 Helping Poultry Keepers Make Better DecisionsJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Linebreeding can reveal weaknesses already hiding in a flock—and that is exactly why careful breeders use it.This Audio Edition was adapted from a PK360 LIVE conversation featuring Rip Stalvey, poultry nutritionist Jeff Mattocks, Karen Johnson, and guest Logan Courtney. Logan is a sixth-generation Oklahoma farmer who uses linebreeding with registered Jersey dairy cattle, Hereford cattle, and Light Sussex chickens.Together, they discuss what linebreeding can accomplish, why it sometimes produces disappointing generations, and how selection, records, nutrition, and patience work together to build a more consistent flock.Topics include:• What linebreeding is and what it can accomplish • Why it exposes hidden genetic problems • Clan breeding and practical systems for smaller flocks • Record keeping, wing bands, and pedigree software • Protecting size, vigor, fertility, and production • Choosing breeders and evaluating each generation • Starting with limited breeding stock • Bringing a needed improvement into an established line • Giving birds the nutrition needed to express their genetic potentialOriginal PK360 LIVE video broadcast date: February8, 2024Prefer the original video? Watch the PK360 LIVE Video Edition here: https://youtube.com/live/96mZJxuCYogIf you enjoy thoughtful, experience-based poultry information like this, that’s what this channel is all about.#PoultryBreeding #ChickenGenetics #PoultryKeepers360Chapters and timestamps0:00 Meet Logan Courtney4:46 What Linebreeding Really Does8:22 Consistency, Selection and Patience14:09 Records, Wing Bands and Pedigrees16:58 Building a Clan Breeding System22:57 Protecting Production Qualities27:15 A Practical Program for Smaller Flocks31:24 Matings That Reveal Hidden Genetics36:47 Exposing and Removing Genetic Problems38:31 Maintaining Vigor and Choosing Breeders43:11 Nutrition and Genetic Potential47:26 Egg Selection and When to Cull52:11 Can You Start With One Pair?56:52 Introducing Improvements Into a Line1:00:03 How Long Should You Use a Proven Male?1:03:26 Closing Thoughts and Future QuestionsJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Winter gives poultry keepers something we rarely have during the busy season: an opportunity to slow down, look back, and decide what genuinely needs improvement.A winter flock reset does not mean changing everything. It means identifying the routines, systems, and decisions that made poultry keeping harder than necessary—and correcting them before another breeding or hatching season begins.In this episode, Rip Stalvey, Jeff Mattocks, Carey Blackmon, and Sue Dobson discuss how to evaluate the past year honestly. They examine breeding results, recordkeeping, housing, ventilation, watering systems, mud and litter problems, nutrition, body condition, winter enrichment, and preparations for the next breeding season.You’ll also hear why changing several things at once makes it nearly impossible to determine what worked, how your birds’ behavior can reveal whether a change is helping, and why some successful parts of your system should be left alone.The goal is not a complete overhaul. It is a more manageable flock, stronger birds, better breeding decisions, and fewer avoidable problems next year.If you enjoy thoughtful, experience-based poultry information like this, that’s what this channel is all about.#PoultryKeepers360 #WinterChickenCare #FlockManagementTIMESTAMPS & CHAPTERS00:00 Using winter as a practical reset 01:24 Evaluating the past year’s results 04:06 Learning from experienced poultry keepers 13:38 Records, observations, and breeding plans 17:40 Housing and ventilation 22:30 Water, mud, litter, and manure 27:56 A word from Fertrell 30:11 Winter watering systems and frostbite 33:24 Viewer questions about garlic and flock health 37:23 What body condition reveals about feeding 40:09 Feed quality, supplements, and behavior 47:12 How much feed do chickens need? 51:22 Preventing winter boredom and aggression 56:35 Selecting and pairing breeding birds 59:39 Winter jobs that prepare for breeding season 1:02:50 Is the system failing—or the follow-through? 1:03:51 Keep what works and measure the results 1:05:44 Change one thing at a time 1:07:52 Breeding goals and difficult selection decisions 1:09:24 Closing thoughtsListen to the Audio Edition here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRODbVf9y3gWatch the Video Edition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGfX27f-7_IJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Successful breeding begins long before the first eggs go into the incubator.In this episode, Carey Blackmon and poultry nutritionist Jeff Mattocks explain how to prepare a flock for breeding season—from choosing the right birds and setting breeding goals to managing lighting, nutrition, housing, and nest boxes.We discuss:The difference between hatching chicks and building a breeding programChoosing breeders with the fewest serious faultsDeciding what you want your flock to becomeUsing linebreeding to improve consistencyWhat inbreeding depression really looks likeChoosing the right time of year to hatchPreparing breeders through lighting managementAdjusting light for younger and older birdsImproving breeder nutrition before collecting eggsEgg size and its effect on chick qualityAmino acids, vitamins, and chick vigorPreparing clean, comfortable nest boxesWhether greens have a place in the breeder dietBreeding season is not simply a matter of putting a rooster with a few hens. Better chicks begin with healthier breeders, clearly defined goals, and thoughtful preparation.If you enjoy thoughtful, experience-based poultry information like this, that’s what this channel is all about.Poultry Keepers 360 Helping Poultry Keepers Make Better Decisions.Chapters and Timestamps0:00 Opening Conversatio7:22 Getting Ready for Breeding Season9:38 Hatching Chickens vs Breeding Poultry11:12 Where a Breeding Program Begins12:52 Where Should Your Flock Be in Five Years?15:58 Turning Goals Into a Breeding Plan16:20 Linebreeding, Inbreeding, and Predictability18:05 What Inbreeding Depression Really Means22:38 Choosing the Right Hatch Season23:19 Preparing Breeders With Light25:22 Light Color and Intensity29:40 Increasing Day Length Gradually32:15 Lighting Older Breeding Birds38:55 Continuous-Flow Watering Update43:15 Feeding Birds for Breeding Season44:35 Egg Size and Hatching Quality46:29 Amino Acids and Chick Vigor49:17 Nest Boxes for Breeding Pens50:57 Bedding and Nest Cleanliness53:32 Five-Gallon Bucket Nest Boxes59:57 Do Breeding Birds Need Greens?1:03:33 Alfalfa and Other Green Feeds1:06:03 Final ThoughtsThis Audio Edition was adapted from a PK360 LIVE originally broadcast on September 18, 2025. Prefer to watch the original Video Edition? You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/live/tagqQL2d1_E Join our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

When cold weather arrives, many poultry keepers instinctively close their coops tightly to keep their chickens warm. Unfortunately, that can trap moisture, ammonia, and stale air—creating conditions far more dangerous than the cold itself.In this episode of PK360 LIVE, Rip Stalvey, Jeff Mattocks, Carey Blackmon, and Sue Dobson take a practical look at winter air quality and what poultry keepers can learn by observing their birds and the conditions inside their coops.The team discusses:• The difference between healthy ventilation and a harmful draft• Why dry birds generally tolerate cold temperatures remarkably well• How moisture and condensation accumulate inside winter housing• Why ammonia can harm chickens before people can smell it• How to calculate coop volume and choose an exhaust fan• Timed and forced-air ventilation• The connection between bedding, carbon, moisture, and ammonia• What respiratory behavior and feather condition may reveal• How stocking density and coop construction affect air quality• Common winter ventilation mistakes• The risks associated with supplemental heatGood winter management is not about creating human comfort inside a chicken coop. It is about protecting birds from direct weather while maintaining clean, dry, healthy air.Poultry Keepers 360 brings breeding, management, and nutrition together to help small-flock keepers understand their birds and make better-informed decisions.If you enjoy thoughtful, experience-based poultry information like this, that’s what this channel is all about.Our sincere thanks to The Fertrell Company for sponsoring PK360 LIVE and supporting practical poultry education.TIMESTAMPS AND CHAPTERS0:00 Why winter air quality matters1:57 Cold temperatures versus moisture and wind3:07 Ventilation versus drafts4:35 Where an exhaust fan should be placed7:17 Calculating coop volume and fan runtime9:38 A mentor’s cold-weather ventilation system14:30 Where winter moisture comes from16:08 Ammonia can cause harm before you smell it19:09 Bedding, carbon, and ammonia control21:02 Biochar, activated charcoal, and peat moss25:14 Should ventilation change with temperature?26:05 What birds reveal about poor air quality27:49 Feather condition, humidity, and dietary fat34:39 What a properly managed coop should smell like35:51 How chickens behave when they are truly cold37:32 Ventilating open-sided coops and barns40:35 A word from The Fertrell Company42:10 Stocking density and air quality43:19 Wooden coops versus metal construction47:26 Common winter ventilation mistakes48:52 Helping birds adjust to environmental changes50:26 Balancing weather protection and ventilation52:45 One change that can improve coop air quality54:25 Choosing breeds suited to the climate55:57 The risks of supplemental heat58:49 Final winter air-quality lessonsJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Protein percentage is only part of the story when it comes to feeding poultry well. What matters is how protein, amino acids, fats, fiber, and the other components of a diet work together.In this PK360 discussion, Rip Stalvey, Jeff Mattocks, and Carey Blackmon take a deeper look at three major components of poultry diets—protein, fat, and fiber—and explain why simply choosing the feed with the highest protein number may not give your birds what they actually need.We discuss vegetable and animal protein sources, why amino acids such as lysine, methionine, and cysteine matter, and how protein needs change as birds grow and enter production. The conversation also explores fish meal, fiber and gut health, the relationship between fat and fiber, different sources of dietary fat, and some of the practical compromises involved in mash, pellet, and crumble feeds. The discussion emphasizes that protein percentage alone can be misleading when amino-acid balance and total feed intake aren't considered.You'll also hear practical discussion about reading feed tags, feeding chicks and growing birds, breeding-season nutrition, whole grains, oats, feed freshness and storage, and questions from poultry keepers watching the original PK360 LIVE.Use the chapters below to listen from beginning to end or jump directly to the subject you need.Poultry Keepers 360 brings together practical experience and thoughtful poultry education to help poultry keepers better understand their birds and make informed decisions about breeding, management, and nutrition.If you enjoy thoughtful, experience-based poultry information like this, that’s what this channel is all about.Chapters & Timestamps0:00 Welcome & What We’re Covering1:07 Protein Sources in Poultry Diets3:31 Why Amino Acid Balance Matters5:03 Animal vs. Vegetable Protein9:02 Fish Meal & Sustainable Sources12:13 Fish Meal, Feather Quality & Eggs16:25 Lysine, Methionine & Cysteine19:21 How Much Protein Do Chicks Need?25:07 Protein Needs for Growing Birds26:13 Developer & Layer Feed28:30 Do Some Breeds Need More Protein?29:22 Nutrition for Breeding Stock30:34 Fertrell Sponsor Break31:40 Why Fiber Matters34:31 Fiber, Gut Health & Bird Behavior35:42 Choosing Effective Fiber Sources37:42 Whole Oats & Diet Self-Selection39:00 Balancing Fat and Fiber40:23 Choosing Better Fat Sources41:48 Animal Fat & Shelf Life43:58 Vegetable vs. Animal Fats45:24 What Fat Does for the Bird47:35 Reading Fat & Fiber on Feed Tags49:22 Why Good Fat & Fiber Levels Are Hard to Find51:15 Whole Grains & Feeding Grit52:49 Ergot Risk in Rye53:44 Feed Freshness & Shelf Life56:09 Mash vs. Pellets57:32 Chick Feed & Breeder Supplement58:12 What Is Mash Feed?1:00:23 How Long Does Feed Stay Nutritious?1:00:52 Calcium in Poultry Feed1:03:40 How Long Can Whole Grains Be Stored?1:05:07 Closing ThoughtsJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

A chicken can look big, fluffy, and healthy—but what do you really know about what's underneath all those feathers?In this episode of Poultry Keepers 360 LIVE, Rip Stalvey, Jeff Mattocks, Carey Blackmon, and Sue Dobson take a practical look at the difference between a bird's weight and its body condition—and why understanding both can help you make better decisions for your flock.We discuss how to use your hands to evaluate muscle and fat, what the keel and pelvic bones can tell you, why two birds at the same weight may be in very different condition, and why regularly handling and observing your birds gives you information a scale alone cannot provide.As winter approaches, the conversation expands into seasonal feeding, water consumption, feeder space, managing birds that are over- or under-conditioned, and the nutritional demands of molt. We also tackle the common advice to simply increase protein during molt and explain why timing matters.Along the way, we answer viewer questions about young birds in cold weather, broody hens adopting chicks, seasonal feeding changes, sudden weight loss, lighting, and more.Most importantly, we return to one of the principles at the heart of Poultry Keepers 360: observe first and diagnose later. One unusual sign doesn't automatically tell you what is wrong. Learn what's normal for your flock, notice meaningful changes, ask better questions, and gather information before reaching for a treatment.Better decisions begin with better observations.If you enjoy thoughtful, experience-based poultry information like this, that's what this channel is all about.Timestamps and Chapters0:00 Weight vs. Body Condition — What's the Difference?2:49 Establishing What's Normal for Your Flock4:59 What Does Body Condition Really Mean?5:54 Using Your Hands to Evaluate Body Condition8:06 Same Weight, Different Condition10:25 What Excessive Body Condition Feels Like11:22 Why Regular Hands-On Checks Matter12:10 Molt, Weight Loss & Body Condition13:18 Observation: Keep Your Hands in Your Pockets16:31 What Changes Should You Expect in Winter?17:00 Switching to Controlled Feeding18:04 Why Feeder Space Matters19:59 Winter Feed & Water Consumption24:12 Managing Over- and Under-Conditioned Birds25:48 Nutrition During Molt29:17 “Push the Protein” — What Does the Science Say?32:49 Do Birds Molt at the Same Time?35:21 Sponsor Break38:32 Does Age Affect How Chickens Handle Winter?41:47 Can a Hen Adopt Another Chick?44:47 Young Birds & Cold Weather46:41 Should Feed Change With the Seasons?47:29 What Sudden Weight Loss Can Tell You51:00 Observe First — Diagnose Later54:25 Should Chickens Gain Weight for Winter?56:06 A Year-Round Body Condition Timeline57:32 Start With the Goal59:40 Make Five-Minute Flock Observation a Habit1:00:27 Jeff's Buff Orpington & Minnow Story1:01:50 Closing ThoughtsJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

The first 14 days of a chick's life can shape far more than its early growth. Nutrition, brooder conditions, access to feed and water, lighting, temperature, grit, and opportunities for natural behavior can all influence how those chicks develop.In this episode of Poultry Keepers 360, Rip Stalvey, Carey Blackmon, and poultry nutritionist Jeff Mattocks take a practical look at what chicks need during this critical early period—and why getting the basics right from the beginning matters so much.The conversation covers choosing and evaluating chick feed, the importance of amino acids and early nutrition, when and how to introduce grit, brooder setup, access to feed and water, encouraging natural chick behavior, lighting and overstimulation, temperature management, common brooding mistakes, and questions from poultry keepers about their own chicks.You'll also hear an important discussion about what is happening inside the chick during those first days of life and why some developmental opportunities can't simply be recovered later.Whether you're preparing for your first hatch or have raised chicks for years, this episode offers practical ideas for taking a closer look at how you start your birds—and how those early decisions can affect the flock they eventually become.Better decisions begin with better observations.If you enjoy thoughtful, experience-based poultry information like this, that's what this channel is all about.Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Timestamps and Chapters 0:00 Welcome & Why the First 14 Days Matter2:34 Choosing the Right Feed for Baby Chicks5:28 What to Look for on a Chick Feed Tag6:38 Dairy Products and Young Chicks11:19 When Should Chicks Start Getting Grit?17:25 Early Development: Why There Are No Do-Overs20:22 Making Feed and Water Easy to Find21:19 Encouraging Natural Chick Behaviors24:00 Nutrition and Feather Development28:50 How Soon Should Newly Hatched Chicks Eat?34:14 Community Questions & Poultry Keeper Experiences39:22 Brooder Floors, Bedding & Early Feeding43:24 Lighting, Stress & Friendly Chicks46:03 Using Treats Without Replacing Good Nutrition50:47 Wing Banding & Brooder Questions56:07 Common Brooding Mistakes to Avoid56:47 When Chicks Begin Regulating Body Temperature58:09 Mixing Ages & Raising Chicks with Poults1:00:33 Water and Electrolytes for Chicks1:06:25 Choosing a Safe Heat Source1:08:08 Closing ThoughtsJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973