The Poultry Keepers Podcast

Rip Stalvey is a lifelong poultry keeper with over 70 years of hands-on experience and a passion for sharing knowledge with the next generation of flock owners. A retired American Poultry Associated-licensed judge, accomplished breeder, and former president of multiple poultry breed clubs, Rip brings unmatched depth, insight, and integrity to the Poultry Keepers Podcast.

Starting with his first chickens at the age of three, Rip has spent a lifetime raising, breeding, and exhibiting poultry. His focus today is on helping small-flock keepers build confidence, improve flock management, and make informed decisions—whether they’re hatching their first chicks or refining a breeding program.

Known for his thoughtful, educational approach and friendly style, Rip’s mission is simple: to empower poultry keepers everywhere with the skills, science, and mindset to succeed.
When he’s not behind the microphone, Rip is writing, mentoring, and continuing his lifelong journey in the world of poultry—one bird, one student, and one story at a time.

My name is Mandelyn Royal, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from a life steeped in soil, feathers, and human connection—it’s that purpose is found where passion and practicality meet.
Before I was a co-host of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, I spent years navigating retail floors and salon chairs, managing everything from inventory and client expectations to corporate relationships and plant diseases. From department stores to beauty counters, I built teams, drove sales, solved problems, and learned to see potential in people the way I now see it in soil, seeds, and breeds.
But that life, bustling and relentless, eventually gave way to something slower, wilder, and far more intentional: homesteading. These days, I’m a stay-at-home farmer, tending to chickens, ducks, and a garden that’s equal parts survival, science experiment, and love letter to the land. I’m not just growing food—I’m selectively breeding forward better poultry and crops, fueled by a deep belief that food systems can and should be more sustainable, accessible, and regenerative.
My work is rooted in ethics, education, and empowerment. I’ve been told I’m “too cheap” for what I offer, but I’d rather be accessible than exclusive. I love teaching—whether it’s guiding someone through poultry management or troubleshooting a homestead pest outbreak. I believe in passing on knowledge like seeds: scatter some, plant some with intention, and let others surprise you by taking root where you least expect.
As a voice on the Poultry Keepers Podcast, I bring not just facts but lived experience. I bring the messy middle, the lessons learned the hard way, and a healthy sense of humor about everything that can—and will—go sideways when you’re chasing chickens through the mud or battling squash bugs in June.
This is more than a lifestyle. It’s a calling. And I’m here to share, learn, laugh, and sometimes rage quietly at the sky with everyone else trying to make a meaningful life outside the systems that forgot about us.
Whether you know me from the podcast, my plants, or my birds—just know this: I’m in it for the long haul. And I’m bringing others with me.

John Gunterman brings decades of hands-on poultry experience, a passion for sustainable homesteading, and a curious mind to the Poultry Keepers Podcast. Known for his down-to-earth approach and deep appreciation for traditional skills, John has been raising birds and building self-reliant systems long before they were trending.
Whether he's sharing stories from his own flock, breaking down poultry care tips, or asking the questions every listener is thinking, John keeps the show grounded, relatable, and packed with practical insight. He's especially passionate about empowering new keepers, troubleshooting flock challenges, and advocating for common-sense poultry practices that work in the real world.
When he’s not behind the mic, you’ll likely find John tending to his birds, experimenting with feed formulations, or mentoring others on their poultry journey.