Poultry Keepers Podcast

Welcome to The Poultry Keepers Podcast! In this first installment of our four-part Poultry Health Master Class series, Carey Blackmon and Jeff Mattocks dive deep into the most common poultry health issues—and how to manage them naturally and effectively.In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify and treat:Dry vs. Wet Fowl Pox — what they look like and how they spreadInfectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and what signs to watch forCRD (Mycoplasma) and other respiratory illnesses: prevention and biosecurityFowl Cholera and other look-alike respiratory conditionsThe right use of natural remedies like garlic tincture, oregano, and CEG (Cayenne + Echinacea + Garlic)Smart management tips for small-flock health, mosquito control, and maintaining strong immune systemsThis is the must-hear foundation for anyone who wants to raise healthier birds without relying heavily on antibiotics. Tune in as Carey and Jeff share real-world insights, field-tested remedies, and practical prevention strategies every small-flock keeper can use.Don’t miss Part 2 next Tuesday as the Poultry Health Master Class continues!  Visit www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com to listen now and for more episodes, guides, and free resources. Hashtags#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryBreedersNutrition #ShowProFarmSupply #PoultryHealth #BackyardChickens #NaturalRemedies #FowlPox #PoultryBiosecurity #ChickenCare #CRD #FowlCholera #SmallFlockManagement #PoultryPodcast #HomesteadChickensYou 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 Part 2 of Getting Ready for Breeding Season, The Poultry Keepers Podcast continues the conversation with deeper insights into preparing your flock for success. This episode covers critical topics every poultry keeper should know, including:How to manage lighting for optimal fertility without stressing birdsThe role of water systems and continuous flow setups in maintaining flock healthWhy nutrition—especially amino acids like lysine, methionine, and threonine—directly impacts egg quality and chick vigorIdeal egg sizes for hatching strong, healthy chicksHousing and nest box designs that reduce stress and encourage reliable layingThe importance of fresh greens, sprouts, and even alfalfa in boosting vitamin A and embryo developmentWhether you’re raising heritage breeds, managing a small backyard flock, or preparing birds for show, this discussion provides actionable steps to elevate your breeding program.To listen to this episode, visit www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com #PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryBreedersNutrition #ShowProFarmSupply #PoultryBreeding #ChickenBreeding #BackyardChickens #PoultryNutrition #HeritagePoultry #BreedingSeasonYou 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

Are your chickens truly ready for breeding season? In this episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, Jeff Mattocks and Carey Blackmon dive into everything small flock keepers need to know to prepare for a successful breeding program. From selecting the best hens and roosters with the fewest defects, to setting realistic long-term goals for your flock, this discussion lays the foundation for healthier birds and stronger bloodlines.You’ll also hear practical tips on lighting management, line breeding vs. inbreeding, and how to avoid common mistakes that new breeders make. Whether you want to hatch ten chicks or one thousand, this episode will give you the tools to get started the right way.Don’t miss Part 2 of this conversation next week, where we continue exploring strategies to take your breeding program even further.Listen to this episode here: www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com#PoultryKeepersPodcast #BackyardChickens #PoultryBreeding #ChickenBreeding #HomesteadChickens #PoultryManagement #BreedingSeason 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 engaging discussion, master breeder Frank Reese Jr. shares his expertise in heritage poultry, focusing on breeds like Barred Rocks and New Hampshire. He explains the importance of maintaining genetic diversity and the ideal flock sizes for robust breeding. Frank contrasts traditional strains with modern hybrids, emphasizing the pitfalls of extreme selection. He also offers insights into cooking heritage birds for the best flavor and tenderness. Plus, he advises on sourcing stock and the value of engaging with breed clubs to promote genetic integrity.

Join Frank Reese, Jr., a dedicated poultry breeder and heritage breeds expert, as he shares his knowledge on sustainable breeding practices. He dives into what defines heritage vs. standard-bred poultry and discusses the USDA's labeling process. Learn how to select breeds tailored to your production goals, whether for eggs or meat. Frank emphasizes the importance of culling, maintaining lineage, and sourcing from local breeders. He also covers the economics of small-scale poultry processing and the value of community in preserving these invaluable breeds.

Drowning in extra roosters as grow-out season hits? This episode lays out a practical, ethical roadmap so you can plan before you hatch—and avoid the last-minute scramble. We cover the real-world options, their pros and cons, and how to set up a reliable, humane system that fits your space, goals, and local rules. What you’ll learnWhy planning matters: straight-run math, space, feed, timelines, and neighbor considerationsOption 1: Grow out and harvest yourself — reliable, data for dual-purpose evaluation; skills, time, and costs requiredOption 2: Outsource — establish relationships with families raising for their tables or approved wildlife/raptor programs; how to make it consistentOption 3: Rehoming/private sales — screening, limited demand, and why you can’t control outcomes after saleOption 4: Livestock auctions — volume potential vs. zero control“Bachelor pad” roosters — where it can work and common limitsEthics & responsibility — don’t abandon birds; how to handle aggression (and why not to rehome aggressive males)A simple, repeatable plan for next season: identify outlets, set thresholds by age/weight, calendar your decisions, and communicate clearlyHave a listen to this episode at www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com #PoultryKeepersPodcast #BackyardChickens #Roosters #Cockerels #ChickenKeeping #PoultryEthics #DualPurpose #HeritagePoultry #Homesteading #FlockManagement #PoultryHusbandry #ChickenAdvice #SmallFlock #PoultryEducation #BreedingDecisions #HumaneProcessing #RaptorProgramsYou 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, we introduce Mia Thom, one of our new Poultry Keepers Podcast content creators. Mia shares her inspiring journey raising Black Silver Marans and Silver Cuckoo Marans in Southern Oregon. From her first $10 hen that sparked her passion, to carefully line breeding, selecting for dual-purpose traits, and overcoming challenges like egg color, heat stress, and hatch rates, Mia offers practical insight into the rewarding world of project varieties of Marans.She also discusses how she uses peat moss bedding, feed enhancements, and careful breeding strategies to strengthen her flock and improve both egg quality and body type. Whether you’re new to poultry or a seasoned breeder, you’ll love Mia’s dedication and the lessons she’s learned through five years of hard work.Listen in and learn how thoughtful breeding and management practices can transform your flock and help you succeed with rare and project poultry varieties.#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryBreedersNutrition #ShowProFarmSupply #MaransBreeding #BackyardChickens #HeritageBreeds #DualPurposePoultry #PoultryManagement #PoultryCommunity 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 Part 2 of Nature vs Nurture: Hatching Chicks with Hens or Hatchers, we explore the time-tested traditions of broody hens alongside the science of modern incubators. Discover:How to prepare housing and bedding for a broody henWhy moving a setting hen rarely works and what to do insteadThe benefits and drawbacks of peat moss, straw, and other bedding optionsWhy incubator calibration is critical for successThe importance of stable temperature and humidity for hatch ratesWhat to feed chicks in their first two weeks for the best startFrom beginner-friendly advice to advanced insights for serious breeders, this conversation blends personal stories, practical tips, and decades of poultry-keeping wisdom. If you’ve ever wondered whether Mother Nature or modern hatchers give better results, this episode will give you the clarity you need.To listen to this episode now go to www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com and don’t miss future episodes of the Poultry Keepers Podcast — subscribe for more expert poultry tips!#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryBreedersNutrition #ShowProFarmSupply #BackyardChickens #HatchingChicks #IncubatorTips #BroodyHen #PoultryManagement #ChickCare #PoultryPodcast #HomesteadChickens 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

Thinking about letting a hen hatch her own chicks instead of using an incubator? In this Poultry Keepers Podcast episode, we explore the pros, pitfalls, and fascinating realities of hen hatching. Learn why some breeds—like Silkies—are famous for broodiness, how a mother hen’s natural care can boost chick survival and growth, and the environmental factors that trigger broodiness. We share practical advice on feed timing, managing aggressive flock members, and when (and if) you should move a broody hen and her chicks. Whether you raise backyard birds or manage a breeding program, this discussion will help you decide if hen hatching is right for your flock.What You’ll Learn: • The surprising benefits of hen-hatched chicks over incubator-hatched chicks • Breeds known for exceptional broodiness • Tips for encouraging natural foraging in young chicks • How to manage hens that aren’t great mothers • Feeding strategies to boost chick health and developmentListen now and discover how nature and nurture work together in your poultry yard at www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com#PoultryKeepersPodcast #HenHatching #BroodyHen #Silkies #BackyardChickens #PoultryBreeding #ChickCare #RaisingChickens #PoultryManagement #NaturalHatching #ChickenBreeds #HomesteadingChickens 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 Part 2 of this Poultry Keepers Podcast, Jeff Mattocks and Carey Blackmon return to tackle more proven, real-world strategies for preventing heat stress in your birds. From ventilation hacks and nutrition adjustments to water system improvements and coop cooling tricks, this episode is packed with practical insights every poultry keeper can use.We dive into:Airflow and coop design for better temperature regulationWhy chickens prefer apple cider vinegar in summer water Frozen treats: fun or flawed? What it does to your eggs High-protein treats—helpful or harmful in summer? Smart watering systems: misting, recirculating lines, and temperature targets Cleaning tips for nipple lines and drinkers Emergency cooling strategies (frozen blocks, standing water, fans)Water pH, alkalinity, and why it matters more than you think Winter water heating tips (yes, summer prep helps with winter, too!)Whether you raise birds for show, production, or pets, this is a must-watch episode that brings clarity to common summer challenges. Learn how to listen to your birds, balance their diet, and keep them cool, hydrated, and healthy through the hottest months.Learn more at: www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #ShowProFarmSupply #ChickenHeatStress #BeatTheHeat #BackyardChickens #ChickenCoopCare #HotWeatherFlockCare #ACVForChickens #PoultryHydration #PoultryBreedersNutrition #SmallFlockSolutions #ChickenWateringTipsYou 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