Episodes

Calling all poultry enthusiasts! Are you ready to elevate your bird game? This episode unravels the science and art behind poultry breeding and selection, a path that can take your casual interest in birds to a whole new level. We guide you through the maze of information, from understanding the essential factors like egg laying rates, persistence and molting rates to the different breeding strategies that can set a solid foundation for your flock. Be warned, though - in-breeding can be a double...

Get ready for an invigorating journey into the world of poultry, as we unravel the intricacies of laying cycles, bird selection, and egg production. Our expert guides are seasoned veterans in the poultry hobby. We'll draw on their wealth of knowledge to delve into the impact of various factors on the laying cycle, from lighting to regional variances. They reveal golden strategies for keeping track of the best eggs and spotting poot quality hens, emphasizing the importance of selecting for vigor ...

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 ...

How often do you find yourself perplexed about managing the molt of your poultry Flock? Ever wondered how a well-managed molt can augment your birds' health and productivity? Join us as we dissect this topic with our seasoned experts, Jeff Maddox, Karen Johnston and Rip Stalvey. They unpack the complexities of molt, its natural occurrence, and the profound effects it can have on your flock. Discover the critical steps to ensure your birds’ comfort and productivity during molt occurrence. Jeff al...

Ready to step up your poultry keeping game? In today's episode, we unpack a treasure trove of educational resources to transform your poultry journey. We cover everything from Morley Jull's 'Poultry Breeding', to Jeff Maddox's "Niche Poultry:N Nutrition and Management" covering insights on nutrition, and management for Standard Bred Poultry and even delve into the depths of the online world with resources from the University of Kentucky extension program, Archive.org, Ferttell Company, and Mandy...

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 resource...

Ever wondered how setting goals could impact your poultry success? Well, tune in as we shed light on this intriguing aspect. Journeying from novice poultry enthusiasts to skilled breeders, we share how our evolving interests and goals have changed over time. Mandy chats how her appreciation for any bird evolved into a keen interest in dual-purpose ones. John, on the other side, shares his shift from a focus on sustainability and feeding people to breeding and exhibitions, also revealing a decade...

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 im...

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, ...

Are you ready to feel the satisfaction of overcoming the challenge of rising poultry feed costs? We promise, in our insightful conversation, you'll gain the knowledge to reduce feed expenses effectively without compromising the health or productivity of your flock. Our discussion covers six key areas that address common misconceptions and showcase ways to maximize your poultry keeping experience, all while saving your wallet. We dive into the importance of using the right feeder, offering quali...

In this episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, hosts Rip Stalvey and Jeff Mattocks delve into the critical role of nutrition in maintaining poultry health and preventing common illnesses. They discuss the importance of a strong immune system, emphasizing adequate levels of Vitamin E and Selenium, and caution against compromising feed quality, which can increase disease susceptibility. The conversation highlights the benefits of incorporating meat-based proteins like fish meal to provide essent...

Are you tired of struggling to understand poultry nutrition for your flock? We've got your back! We sat down with Jeff Maddox, a poultry nutritionist with 26 years of experience, who shared his invaluable insights on reading feed tags, avoiding byproducts, and choosing the right feed for your birds. Plus, Jeff offers his expertise on breed stock and culling strategies to help you manage your flock more effectively. In our conversation with Jeff, we uncovered the importance of culling 75-50% of ...

Thinking about raising chickens? Join hosts Rip Stalvey and John Gunterman as they delve into the essentials of starting your own poultry flock. In this episode, they discuss setting clear goals, choosing the right breeds for egg production, meat, or dual-purpose, and understanding how your geographic location influences breed selection. Learn about the significance of feather types in various climates, the risks associated with heat stress, and the invaluable "rule of ten" for maintaining a he...

Thinking about raising chickens? Join hosts Rip Stalvey and John Gunterman as they delve into the essentials of starting your own poultry flock. In this episode, they discuss setting clear goals, choosing the right breeds for egg production, meat, or dual-purpose, and understanding how your geographic location influences breed selection. Learn about the significance of feather types in various climates, the risks associated with heat stress, and the invaluable "rule of ten" for maintaining a he...

We want to help you keep your flock happy, healthy and productive. Listen to this trailer as we tell you how we can do just that. You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com Join our Facebook Groups: Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837 Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125 Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973 Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://...