
Poultry Keepers Podcast
Welcome to The Poultry Keepers PodcastCluck, Chat, and Rule the Roost! One Egg-cellent Episode at a Time!At The Poultry Keepers Podcast, we’re building a friendly, informative, and inspiring space for today’s small-flock poultry keepers. Whether you're a seasoned pro with decades of experience or just beginning your backyard chicken journey, you’ve found your community. Here, poultry isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way of life.Each episode is packed with practical, science-based information to help you care for your flock with confidence. From hatching eggs and breeding strategies to flock health, nutrition, housing, and show prep—we cover it all with insight and heart.Hosted by Rip Stalvey, Mandelyn Royal, and John Gunterman, our show brings together over 70 years of combined poultry experience. We believe in the power of shared knowledge and the importance of accuracy, offering trusted content for poultry keepers who want to do right by their birds.So pull up a perch and join us each week as we cluck, chat, and rule the roost—one egg-cellent episode at a time.Visit our website at www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com
Latest episodes

8 snips
Oct 3, 2023 • 28min
How To Begin A Successful Journey With Poultry: Part 3
Discover the effects of hatching in different seasons on chickens' behavior and health. Learn about the complexities of incubating hatching eggs and the different incubation methods. Explore the benefits of using an electric fence inside a high tunnel for raising chicks. Understand the impact of a new egg collection method on fertility rates. Find out about the challenges of packing and shipping eggs. Explore the issue of curly toes in poultry and the factors that contribute to it. Learn about the importance of finding a good breeder when purchasing birds.

8 snips
Sep 26, 2023 • 24min
How To Begin A Successful Journey With Poultry: Part 2
Unraveling the science and art of poultry breeding and selection, discussing factors like egg laying rates and different breeding strategies. Exploring the importance of bone spacing and bird evaluation, providing tips on assessing bird shape and feel. Highlighting the crucial aspects of managing light and growth in your flock for poultry success. Discussing the significance of record-keeping and pedigree mating in successful breeding and the impact of environmental influence on genetic traits and finding the right bird.

9 snips
Sep 19, 2023 • 33min
How To Begin A Successful Journey With Poultry: Part 1
Explore the intricacies of laying cycles, bird selection, and egg production in the world of poultry. Learn about the impact of factors like lighting and regional variances on the laying cycle. Discover strategies for tracking the best eggs and spotting poor quality hens. Delve into the cycle of egg laying and the lifespan of egg-laying hens. Uncover breeding techniques for vigor and productivity. Hear about the challenges of poultry production and breeding dual purpose birds.

Sep 12, 2023 • 20min
Understanding Post-Molt Poultry Care and the Importance of Properly Balanced Nutrients
Get ready for an eye-opening discussion as we navigate through expert advices on post-molt poultry care, with our guest Jeff Maddox. Ever wondered why your birds' feather quality deteriorates? Or why the color changes occur? You'll learn how to create an ideal environment that promotes healthy feathers, including the significance of ample space, enrichment items, shade and cleanliness. But that's not all, we'll also throw light on the often overlooked dangers of ammonia. You'll walk away with a clear understanding of how it affects the respiratory tracts and eye health of poultry.Changing gears, we rope in an equally enlightening chat about the importance of balanced nutrient levels for poultry. It's not just about the protein, folks! We'll delve into the necessity of amino acids, fats, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, D, E and lysine and methionine. Learn why ignoring the tags on commercial feeds could be your biggest mistake and how the right balance of nutrients can make your birds healthier and more vigorous. Let's embark on this journey to understand what truly goes into laying eggs with robust shells. Tune in and let's crack this together!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

Sep 5, 2023 • 22min
Understanding the Benefits of a Well-Managed Molt in Poultry Keeping
Our seasoned experts, Jeff Maddox, Karen Johnston, and Rip Stalvey, discuss the benefits of a well-managed molt in poultry keeping. They cover topics such as the impact of molt on flock health and productivity, strategies for mitigating stress and aggression, and the importance of optimal pullet weight for fertility and egg production. Tune in for insights on modifying lighting, creating extra space, and achieving desired body weight for robust and productive birds.

5 snips
Aug 29, 2023 • 31min
Navigating the World of Poultry Educational Resources, Part 2
Unpack a treasure trove of educational resources for poultry keepers including books, online resources, breed clubs, and YouTube channels. Explore the effects of nutrient deficiencies on poultry health and genetics. Emphasize the importance of evaluating nutrition and husbandry before culling a bird. Discuss the significance of finding a mentor in the poultry industry and the need for patience and trust. Learn about the challenges beginners may face and the importance of establishing a reputation as a breeder.

Aug 22, 2023 • 27min
Navigating the World of Poultry Educational Resources, Part 1
Imagine having the key to unlock the wealth of poultry rearing knowledge. This episode promises to hand you that key. We guide you through the labyrinth of poultry husbandry, lending you our insights and expertise every step of the way. From setting realistic goals to developing robust information filters, we've got your back. We help you navigate away from emotional pitfalls and unnecessary drama while emphasizing the importance of consulting experts in the field.Dive into the sea of resources that aid bird breeding and standards. We tell you where to find the most trusted historical books, how to stay updated with breed standards, and highlight the benefit of reading university studies. You'll learn about invaluable resources like "The Call of the Hen" by Walter Hogan and the treasure trove of PDF books available on http://www.archive.org. So, whether you're a newbie poultry keeper or an experienced breeder, this episode is a must-listen!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

Aug 15, 2023 • 34min
Achieving Poultry Excellence: One Goal at a Time
Learn how setting goals can impact your poultry success as the hosts share their evolving interests and goals in poultry keeping. They discuss the importance of dual-purpose birds, the value of birds bred for form and function, and provide a guide on your poultry keeping journey. They also share personal experiences, early memories with poultry, and challenges of poultry breeding. Join them on this fascinating adventure to poultry success!

Aug 8, 2023 • 45min
Introducing New Co-Host, Mandelyn Royal: A Deep Dive into Poultry Keeping and Breeding
Welcome to an epic episode where we introduce our newest co-host, Mandelyn Royal. Mandelyn, a highly skilled communicator, writer, and video producer, brings a wealth of knowledge to our podcast and shares her lifelong love for chicken keeping. We delve into Mandelyn's specific goals for her flock, her chosen breed's uniqueness and the challenges she faces.This episode wouldn't be complete without an in-depth discussion about breeding birds, a complex yet rewarding endeavor. Diving into the importance of being hands-on, Mandelyn shares her insights and experiences about the impact of various factors such as environment, nutrition, and husbandry practices on birds. We also explore the intriguing aspects of observing chicken behavior, a crucial component in making important judgment calls in poultry keeping.To wrap up, we unravel the critical steps of starting in poultry keeping, including the need for a strategic plan and beginning the process months or even a year in advance. We emphasize the benefits of finding a mentor and conducting thorough research on your chosen breed. So, whether you're a novice poultry keeper or a seasoned pro, this episode promises to be an enriching experience, filled with practical and valuable insights. Join us in this fascinating journey!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

Aug 1, 2023 • 28min
Understanding and Mitigating Heat Stress in Poultry
Have you ever wondered how heat stress can impact your flock's health and productivity? Get ready to learn from experts Jeff Maddox and John Gunnerman as we unravel the mystery of heat stress in birds, its symptoms, and the various factors contributing to it. We'll also share some practical advice on how to help your birds cope during hot weather by adjusting their diet and ensuring adequate hydration. In this heat-induced adventure, we’ll delve into the world of water management and mulching, exploring their significance in mitigating heat stress. We'll also enlighten you on the correlation between high temperatures, feed composition, and daylight hours. You'll learn some innovative ways to encourage your birds to drink more water. Finally, we’ll also discover the fascinating benefits of adding molasses, ginger, garlic, and vitamin or mineral supplements to their diet. This whirlwind discussion is sure to leave you with great insights and practical tips for bird care during the hot weather. So, join us in this engaging conversation, and let's beat the heat together!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
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