Thinking of Raising Ducks and Geese? Here’s What You Need to Know! In this episode of The Intentional Poultry Keeper, we dive into the wisdom of waterfowl care—from feeding and housing to breeding and health management. Whether you're a backyard keeper, amateur breeder, or experienced poultry enthusiast, this episode is packed with practical tips and fascinating tales about ducks, geese, and mixed flocks!What You’ll Learn in This Episode:·      The key differences between ducks, geese, and chickens·      Best feed and nutrition practices for healthy waterfowl·      How to keep duck bedding dry and coops clean·      The truth about water sources—how much do ducks and geese really need?·      Breeding behaviors and how to prevent common waterfowl health issuesAre Ducks or Geese Right for Your Flock? Let’s find out!What’s your biggest challenge with raising ducks or geese? Drop us a comment! Know a fellow poultry keeper who needs this info? Share this episode with them!Timestamps0:00 - Welcome to The Poultry Keepers Podcast 2:15 - Why waterfowl require different care than chickens 6:30 - The best feed and nutrition tips for ducks and geese 12:45 - Managing wet bedding and water access 18:00 - Understanding breeding behaviors in ducks and geese 23:30 - Common health issues and how to prevent them 30:00 - Final thoughtsHashtags:#WaterfowlWisdom #RaisingDucks #BackyardWaterfowl #PoultryKeepers #DucksAndGeese #WaterfowlBreeding #HomesteadPoultry #HealthyWaterfowlYou can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

In this episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, hosts John Gunterman, Mandelyn Royal, and Rip Stalvey discuss the fundamentals of keeping waterfowl such as ducks and geese. They cover the growing popularity of waterfowl for benefits like eggs, meat, pest control, and entertainment. The conversation addresses the key considerations for beginners, including choosing the right breeds based on goals (e.g., meat or egg production), ethical down harvesting, and special uses of specific breeds. They highlight practical aspects like waterfowl’s need for water, differences between breeds, incubation processes, and common challenges. The episode also covers interesting breed features and historical insights, offering a comprehensive guide for new waterfowl keepers.You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

In this episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, Rip, Jeff, and Carey conclude their discussion on the importance of vitamins and minerals in poultry nutrition. They address how to maintain vitamin potency, identify and prevent deficiencies, and the roles of various minerals. The hosts also discuss the significance of metabolizable energy and field questions from the audience about nutritional additives, quality feed sources, and specific diet recommendations for poultry. They mention the support from their sponsor, The Fertrell Company, and highlight useful resources such as Jeff Mattocks' book and Mulder's mineral interaction wheel.You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

In this episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, hosts Jeff Mattacks, Carey Blackmon, and Rip Stalvey discuss the significance of vitamins and minerals in poultry diets. They delve into the roles of vitamins A, E, D, and B, explain their impact on health and development, and highlight the difference between minimum and optimum levels for poultry nutrition. The discussion includes practical advice on ensuring proper vitamin levels, the limitations of current research, and the importance of maintaining higher nutritional standards. The episode also touches on optimal feed storage practices to maintain vitamin efficacy and concludes with a preview of the next episode, which will continue the discussion.You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

In this episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, Rip Stalvey, Jeff Mattocks, and Carey Blackmon dive into the critical role that proteins, fats, and fibers play in poultry nutrition. They emphasize the differences between vegetable-based and animal-based protein sources, detail the importance of specific amino acids like lysine and methionine, and discuss the use of fish meal and its sustainability. The hosts also cover age-specific protein requirements for poultry, from chicks to layers, and the importance of balanced amino acid levels for optimal growth and egg production. They touch on the issues of overfeeding protein and the unique protein needs of breeding stock. The episode concludes with a nod to their sponsors, the Fertrell Company, and a teaser for next week’s conclusion of proteins, fats and fibers.You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

In this episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, Jeff Mattocks, Carey Blackmon, and Rip Stalvey explore the complexities of proteins, fats, and fibers in poultry nutrition. They delve into protein sources, comparing vegetable-based (mostly soybean and canola meal) and animal-based (fish meal and meat meals) proteins, and discuss essential amino acids like lysine and methionine. The conversation covers the importance of sustainable fishing for fishmeal, concerns over overfeeding protein, and specific nutritional needs during different growth stages of poultry, including chicks, growers, developers, layers, and breeding stock. The hosts emphasize the need for balanced amino acid profiles and adequate vitamins for healthy poultry development and productivity.You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

This episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast features hosts Mandelyn, John, and Rip discussing the care and feeding practices for bantam chickens. They delve into the history of poultry feed components, emphasizing the importance of amino acids over protein, and the role of nutritional density. Discussions include comparisons between bantams and large fowl, highlighting bantams' resilience in cold climates, efficiency in feed conversion, and lesser need for space. They also explore breed preservation, predator vulnerabilities, and practical tips on feeding and managing both bantams and large fowl chickens. The episode concludes with a nod to the growing popularity of bantams in poultry shows and a reminder of the importance of breed preservation.You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

In this episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, hosts Mandelyn, John, and Rip delve into the miniature but giant world of Bantam chickens. They discuss the origins, types, and physical characteristics of Bantams, emphasizing that they are mostly smaller versions of large fowl.  The discussion covers advantages of raising Bantams in urban settings, their loudness, and their ability to fly and brood effectively. They also explore egg production, dual-purpose possibilities, temperament, and nutrition, debunking the myth that Bantams require different feed than large fowl. Plus, there are anecdotes about Bantams' predator awareness and interactions. You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

Dive into the fascinating world of poultry classification! Discover the unique traits of various chicken classes, including American, Asiatic, and English. Learn how body types and feathering play crucial roles in breed selection and heat management. The hosts share intriguing insights about popular breeds like Brahma and Polish chickens, detailing their egg-laying capabilities. The discussion also introduces the complexities of waterfowl classification and the distinctive types of combs in poultry. A must-listen for any poultry enthusiast!

In this episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, Rip Stalvey, Carey Blackmon, and Blake Bell discuss the nuances of brooding and raising Brahma chickens.   They focus on effective practices like using wire-bottom pens to maintain foot feathering and avoiding ground dirt. The conversation touches on the differences between light and dark Brahmas in terms of hardiness and feather maintenance and provide insights into conditioning birds for shows, including washing light Brahmas to remove fly spots.  They also address feeding strategies, emphasizing the use of consistent, high-protein mash feed, and discuss the pros and cons of fermenting feed. The speakers provide detailed advice on identifying ideal wing patterns for showing and maintaining a U-shaped tail in Brahmas.  The episode concludes with recommendations for resources, including the American Brahma Club, reputable breeders, and online communities. You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured