Backyard Chickens & Coturnix Quail: Incubating Hatching Eggs and Chicken Breeding
Jennifer Bryant of BryantsRoost.com and Carey Blackmon of ShowProFarmSupply.com are here to discuss backyard chicken keeping. This show dives deep into flock management, poultry health, hatching eggs, chicken nutrition, incubating, brooding chicks, predator-proofing, and biosecurity.We cover everything from chicken coop tips to coturnix quail farming, heritage breeds, and even NPIP certification. Each episode is packed with real-world advice, expert interviews, and practical tips for egg production, chicken behavior, and integrating new birds into your flock.With all your favorite breeders, our guests round out the nerd table with the most information. Coturnix Quail are the new chicken and...
Broody Chickens : Care, feed and breaking them
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Broody hens are a natural part of chicken keeping, but they can be confusing and frustrating if you don't understand what's happening.
In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon take a deep dive into broodiness—what causes it, how to recognize it, and what poultry keepers should do when a hen decides it's time to hatch chicks.
You'll learn about the hormonal changes that drive broody behavior, why some breeds are more li...
Feed, supplements and Carey's BIG announcement!
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What should you feed your chickens, quail, and other poultry? Does protein really matter? Are expensive feeds worth the cost? And how much does nutrition impact hatchability, chick quality, and flock performance?
In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon tackle listener questions about poultry feed and nutrition. They discuss feed formulations, protein levels, breeder nutrition, common feeding mistakes, and how proper nutrition affects everything from egg production to hatch rates.
Whether you're...
What to feed my chickens, dry incubating/hatching, and more listener questions answered
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From hobby chickens to homesteading chickens, we all have questions. In this episode we discuss feeding chickens to dry hatching and more!
Hatching Marans
Dry hatching
washing hatching eggs
Exploding eggs
Chick Electrolytes
Hatching Upright
Listen on your favorite platforms, youtube and on the www.PoultryNerdsPodcast.com
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Support the show
<...Coffee Eggers, Homesteading & Hatching with Little Willow Homestead
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In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon sits down with Jessica from Little Willow Homestead to talk about chickens, homesteading, hatching, and building a recognizable brand in the poultry world.
The conversation covers the story behind the “Coffee Egger,” connecting with fellow homesteaders, and the realities of growing a homestead-focused platform while balancing everyday farm life.
Whether you’re a backyard chicken keeper, breeder, or simply love the homesteading lifestyle, this episode is full...
Heritage Chicken vs Hybrid Broilers: Flavor, Cost, Health & Reality Explained
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In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and Jennifer break down the real-world differences between heritage chickens, hybrid broilers, and the Cornish Cross birds used in commercial meat production. If you’ve ever wondered why home-raised chicken tastes different than store-bought chicken — or whether raising your own meat birds is actually worth it — this episode dives deep into the truth most people never hear.
From Orpingtons and dual-purpose heritage breeds to fast-growing commercial broilers like the Cobb and Ross l...
Silkies Aren’t “Just Cute”—Here’s What You’re Missing
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Silkie chickens are one of the most misunderstood breeds in poultry—and most people are getting it wrong.
In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we sit down with veterinarian Dr. Nicole to break down what actually matters when it comes to breeding, raising, and selecting high-quality Silkies.
From genetics and defects to breed standards and real-world care, this episode cuts through the fluff and gives you practical knowledge you can actually use.
We cover ev...
How to Start a Poultry Breeding Program: What Every New Breeder Needs to Know
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How do you actually start a poultry breeding program? Carey and Jennifer break down the realities of building a breeding program from the ground up — from picking the right breed and finding a reputable source, to understanding culls, genetics, and the five-year timeline most beginners don’t expect.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to evaluate breed traits, why visiting a poultry show beats scrolling Facebook, the difference between standard-bred, utility, and English-style birds, and how phenotype and genotype actually work...
Splash, Ermine & Modeled: Decoding Americana Color Genetics with Gina Wrather
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Gina Wrather of Wrather Farms in Columbia, Tennessee returns to break down three of the most visually stunning — and most misunderstood — color varieties in Americana chickens. We dig into the genetics behind Splash, Ermine, and Modeled, explain why a recessive gene can hide for 20 years before showing up in your hatch, and talk about the breeder responsibility that comes with selling birds. If you've ever hatched a surprise chick and wondered where it came from, this episode is for you.
Join...
Not All Eggs Are Created Equal — Egg Selection for Hatching
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Think you can just toss any egg in the incubator? Think again. In this episode of Poultry Nerds, we go nest box to incubator — sorting real eggs by weight, shape, shell quality, and cleanliness to show you exactly what to set and what to skip. We cover large fowl, quail, and celadon eggs, break down double yolkers, torpedo shapes, golf balls, and the perfect 67-gram specimen. Plus — a listener question about noisy roosters and how to keep your neighbors from losing their mind...
10 Things You Don't Wanna Mess Up With Your Chickens (But You Will) | Chicken Care for Beginners
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Whether you've already impulse-bought chicks at Tractor Supply or you're planning your first flock, this episode is your roadmap to avoiding the most common beginner chicken-keeping mistakes. We answer real listener questions from a first-time chicken owner — covering nesting boxes, safe treats for kids to give chickens, when to stop using a heat lamp, and whether water supplements are worth the money. Then we dive into our list of 10 critical mistakes new flock owners make: impulse buying without a plan, brooder setup er...
Shipping Hatching Eggs, Buying Better Birds & Incubation Mistakes to Avoid | Poultry Nerds Podcast
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In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we get into the real-world side of shipping hatching eggs, buying from breeders, hatch rate expectations, incubation mistakes, poultry medications, NPIP misconceptions, and how to find quality hatching eggs.
We talk through what actually matters when you’re buying hatching eggs or live birds, what questions to ask a breeder, how nutrition affects fertility and hatchability, why some eggs should never be shipped, and the red flags people ig...
Pasture Poultry, Feed Freedom, Duckweed & Natural Flock Health with Blaze of Bad Baxter Farm
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In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we sit down with Blaze from Bad Baxter Farm in Wynnewood, Oklahoma to talk about raising poultry and livestock in a more natural, practical, and self-sustaining way.
Blaze shares how her health journey led her deeper into nutrition, homesteading, growing her own food, and building a farm focused on stronger animals, better management, and less dependence on bagged feed and constant medications. We talk about what it really...
Bresse Chickens Explained | Breeding, Processing, Selection & Why We Prefer Them Over Cornish
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Today we’re talking all about Bresse chickens and why they’ve become one of our favorite breeds for a self-sustaining flock.
In this episode, we cover:
Why we prefer Bresse over Cornish in many situationsMeat quality, tenderness, and ideal processing ageHow to select breeder birds for width, body shape, and table qualityEgg size, egg selection, and incubation tipsHow to build a breeding program around your goalsThe difference between breeding for production versus breeding for showWhy Bresse may...Frozen Quail Feeders Explained | Falconry, Reptiles, Culling & Shipping Tips
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On this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we sit down with Brent from Zero G Quail Farm to talk all about frozen quail feeders, who buys them, how they are sized, packaged, processed, and shipped, and why they can be a valuable outlet for quail breeders.
We also go down some fun rabbit holes, including the history of quail hatched in space, the strange legal gray areas around keeping quail, and the surprising demand from the falconry community, reptile...
Thinking About Raising Quail? What You MUST Know Before You Start
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Thinking about raising quail but not sure how to get started?
In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we walk through the real decisions every beginner faces when starting with quail. Should you buy hatching eggs, chicks, or adult birds? What equipment do you really need? And what housing systems work best for backyard quail keepers?
We also explain the true costs of starting a quail flock, the pros...
The Incredible Edible Egg Hatching | Incubation Science, Air Cells, Shipped Eggs & Hatch Rate Secrets
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Is the egg just a shell with a chick inside?
Not even close.
In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we break down the real science behind egg incubation and hatching — and clear up some of the biggest myths spreading through backyard chicken groups.
If you're incubating chicken eggs, quail eggs, duck eggs, or shipped hatching eggs this season, this episode will help you improve your hatch rate and produce stronger, healthier chicks.
...Quail Mania 2 Debrief + Rooster Health: Fertility, Layer Feed Myths, Molt & Aggression
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Quail Mania 2 is officially in the books — and the turnout was huge. In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we debrief the event results, what improved from last year, and what’s already being planned for Quail Mania 3 (including a Kids Corner and the possibility of expanding to three days).
Event highlights discussed:
15 speakers, 16 sponsors, and 1,363 participantsOver 4,800 live chat messagesAll-Access Pass availability through May 31 (so you can learn through breeding season)Then we shift into a to...
Backyard Chicken myths busted
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This week on the podcast we talk about some questions we see asked in our new Facebook group, Incubation Masterclass about incubating and general chicken keeping. We answer general questions and correct some misinformation we have seen discussed. Get more confident with your chicken skills after this episode
Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com
Support the show
Feel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.com...
The Threes C's of Chicks: Better Hatches, Better Broods, Better Birds
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In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we break poultry husbandry down into something simple, practical, and proven: the rule of threes.
Every bird goes through three critical stages of life — incubation, brooding, and grow-out — and in each stage, there are three things that matter most. Miss them, and problems follow. Get them right, and everything gets easier.
We dive into:
Egg selection for better hatches (size, shape, shel...From Hobby to Hustle: How to Scale Quail Sales + Payments, Websites, and Reviews
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In this episode, we’re talking about how to scale from hobby quail-keeping to a real business—without getting burned by scammers, chargebacks, or platform fees.
Carrie’s back from travel (and we’re recording during an ice storm), so we’re using that momentum to break down the practical business side of quail: how to start selling, how to get paid safely, where to sell online, and how to price correctly when fees stack up. Ev...
How HP Murray Built a Quail Operation: Imports, Brooder Houses, Automatic Waterers & Quail Math
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In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we sit down with HP Murray of Gopher Ridge Farms for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about raising quail, building efficient farm systems, and how quail math can turn a small hobby into a full-time operation.
HP shares his journey from growing up on a farm, stepping away from agriculture, and then returning to it through quail after retirement. From early brooding mistakes to importing German quail lines, this...
What are celadon quail eggs, and why are blue eggs one of the most misunderstood topics in the quail world?
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In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we break down the celadon gene, explain how true blue eggs are formed, and clear up common myths surrounding celadon quail breeding. From genetics and egg shell pigmentation to breeding mistakes and record-keeping challenges, this episode delivers real education without the fluff.
We discuss:
What the celadon gene actually doesWhy blue eggs are blue all the way throughThe difference between true blue lines and random...Poultry Pro App Explained: Using Data, Genetics & Technology to Breed Better Birds | Poultry Nerds Podcast
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In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we’re joined by Brie—agricultural engineering student, software developer, and creator of the Poultry Pro app—to explore how data, genetics, and technology are transforming modern poultry breeding.
Brie shares how her background in agricultural engineering and livestock systems led her from managing endless spreadsheets to building Poultry Pro, a powerful yet easy-to-use platform designed specifically for poultry keepers. Whether you raise backyard chickens, quail, or large breeding flocks, this e...
Quail Mania 2 Is Here! | 2025 Recap, 2026 Preview & Why Quail Just Make Sense
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Happy New Year and welcome to Year 3 of the Poultry Nerds Podcast! 🎉
We just crossed 50,000 downloads, and in this episode we’re celebrating by looking back at 2025, looking ahead to 2026, and breaking down why quail are becoming one of the smartest poultry choices today.
We officially announce Quail Mania 2, a free, two-day online quail education event packed with expert speakers, real-world knowledge, giveaways, and incubation insight — from first e...
Merry Christmas from the Poultry Nerds | Gratitude, Growth & What’s Coming in 2026
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Merry Christmas from the hosts of the Poultry Nerds Podcast!
In this special Christmas Day episode, Carrie and Jennifer take a moment to say thank you to the incredible listeners around the world who have supported the show over the past two years.
What started as a simple weekly conversation about chickens, quail, turkeys, and poultry life has grown into a global community with over 50,000 downloads, educational courses, live events, and so much more. In...
What Happens To The Rest of The Bird?
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What really happens to the rest of the bird after processing? In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and Jennifer dive deep into nose-to-tail poultry utilization—breaking down how quail, chickens, turkeys, and even manure can be used with little to no waste.
From feeding pigs and dogs, making dehydrated pet treats, bone broth, schmaltz, bone meal, compost, garden fertilizer, and even crafts and jewelry—this episode pulls back the curtain on sustainable, homestead-style poul...
From backyard breeder to full time business, move your quail and chickens to the Next Level
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Christian from QuailOS joins Jennifer this week in a discussion about tracking chicken and quail expenses. In the next episode of our Business Episodes, Christian has been making quail a profession for 5 years! Now he is here to share his latest product that can help you move from backyard chicken keeper to business. From counting hatching eggs to printing shipping labels, this ap does it all.
Find out more at QuailOS.com
Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of P...
Veterinarian Tips on Managing Worms in Chickens, turkeys and quail
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In this episode of Poultry Nerds, we sit down with Dr. M — our resident poultry vet — to get real about worms in backyard flocks. From the most common culprits (roundworms, tapeworms, cecal worms) to why a fecal float test matters, Dr. M breaks down:
✅ What types of worms chickens typically get — and how common each is.🔬 How a fecal flotation test works: mixing droppings with solution so worm eggs rise — then viewing under a microscope to spot the parasites. ...
Progressive Pied Quail, Genetics, and Black Friday Deals
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Join Carey, Jennifer, and guest breeder Aaron Guidroz of Guidroz Family Farm as they dive into the genetics behind the Progressive Pied coturnix quail, how to breed for color and size, tips for brooding success, and upcoming Black Friday farm deals from ShowPro, Brian’s Roost, and Guidroz Family Farm. Perfect for poultry and quail enthusiasts!
progressive pied quail, quail genetics, coturnix quail breeding, jumbo quail, quail co...
The Truth About Chicken Coops: Best Designs, Winter Prep & Why You NEED Multiple Pens
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Welcome back, Poultry Nerds!
In this jam-packed episode, Carey and Jennifer dive deep into chicken coop design, comparing fixed coops vs. chicken tractors, winter preparation, predator management, bird density, and how chicken math ALWAYS wins.
Whether you’re designing your first backyard coop or upgrading your serious breeding setup, this episode arms you with practical, real-world advice on:
Choosing between tractors and stationary coopsWi...Inside the Ohio National Poultry Show: Gossip, Gamefowl, Winners, Weird Birds & Behind-the-Scenes Stories
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Welcome back, Poultry Nerds! In this packed episode, Jennifer finally gets Carey to spill all the juicy details about his trip to the 2025 Ohio National Poultry Show — one of the largest, loudest, and most legendary poultry events in the country.
Carey shares his full unfiltered experience:
• Meeting fans and podcast listeners in person
• 8,100 crowing birds under one roof
• Anxiety, atmosphere, and the unbelievable energy
• Gamefowl appearing at the show for the first time
• The gorgeous bird...
How to Ship Hatching Eggs & Live Birds (the Right Way) + How to Choose the Right Breeds & Breeder
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Struggling with broken shipped eggs, stressed birds, or disappointing hatch rates?
In this Poultry Nerds Podcast episode, we walk you through exactly how we ship hatching eggs and live birds and how to choose the right breeds and the right breeder for your goals.
We’re recording straight from the egg foam warehouse, surrounded by live shipper boxes, foam trays, and all the packing supplies — so you’ll get the re...
How to choose the Right Breeds & Breeder
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Have you ever wondered what chicken breed would be best for yourself? Or even considered ducks instead? Then how to find a breeder and what to ask them? We have you covered this week on the podcast. We created a checklist for you and then go thru it on some possible answers and the reasons why. We also published this one to Youtube to show you some items live from Bryant's Roost!
Find the checklist on the website at PoultryNerdsPodcast.com
How Farmers Manage It All: Time-Saving Systems for chickens, ducks, turkeys, quail, goats and pigs!
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Running a farm isn’t easy — especially when you’re balancing hundreds (or thousands) of birds, a full-time job, and family life. In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and the crew get real about how to manage your time, stay organized, and build systems that make poultry farming sustainable.
From feeding routines and managing employees (or deciding to do it yourself), to hiring help for cleaning or landscaping — this episode breaks down what it...
Auto-Sexing vs Sex-Linked Quail: Genetics, Breeding Strategies & Humane Culling for Poultry Nerds
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In this Poultry Nerds Podcast episode, we dive deep into auto-sexing vs sex-linked breeding in quail and chickens. Learn the genetic differences, why auto-sexing doesn’t apply to quail, how sex-linking can boost hatchery efficiency, and why Egyptian × Pharaoh crosses make one of the best-selling sex-linked quail lines.
We also have a real conversation about humane CO₂ culling for surplus males, responsible flock management, and how reptile and raw-feeding communities creat...
From Coop to Cash Flow
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In this episode, co-hosts Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon take a deep dive into how a backyard poultry hobby can evolve into a profitable venture. They share their own stories of transitioning from keeping a few birds “for fun” to managing a business built on eggs, quality genetics, specialty supplies, and savvy marketing.
You’ll hear:
Their personal journey from raising Orpingtons, ducks, quail, and turkeys to having paying customers. Challenges of selling “eating eggs” vs. hatching eggs and setting cle...Chicken Watering Systems
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Today we talk about water quality and how it affects chickens plus ways to set up a water system to reduce labor. Carey is much more innovative than Jennifer and her buckets.
Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com
Support the show
Feel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.com
Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/P...
Chicken Genetics & Care Myths—Vaulted Skulls, Spurs, Combs, Frostbite & More
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Veterinarian Dr. M joins the Poultry Nerds Podcast to unpack chicken genetics and practical care: what vaulted skulls mean in crested breeds (Silkies, Polish), how to safely trim spurs (and what not to do), the real role of combs and wattles in heat regulation, why Vaseline doesn’t prevent frostbite, and humane tips for beak/nail maintenance. We also bust common myths—like “no wattle = sterile rooster”—and discuss caponization, turkey sno...
Inside the Poultry Nerds... From Chickens to Masterclasses!
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Meet the real people behind the Poultry Nerds Podcast! In this candid, behind-the-scenes episode, Carey and Jennifer interview each other—how Show Pro Farm Supply started, how Bryant’s Roost grew from six dozen quail eggs, what it takes to run a poultry brand and a podcast, and why evidence-based nutrition and incubation matter.
We also announce IncubationMasterclass.com—our brand-new, step-by-step Quail Incubation Masterclass (Chicken class next!). Intro price: $17 for lifetime access with printa...
Talking Chicken and Champion Cochins with Craig Hansen
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Join us on the Poultry Nerds Podcast as we sit down with Craig Hansen, one of the most respected names in the Cochin world. From his start in 4-H projects to breeding award-winning varieties like Silver Laced and Buff Columbians, Craig shares his journey, breeding strategies, and passion for preserving poultry genetics. We dive into show preparation, artificial insemination for fertility, predator challenges, and what it really takes to raise high-quality exhibition chickens.
Whether you’re a seasoned breeder or ba...
