What does it really take to become a successful chicken or gamefowl breeder?

Becoming a successful breeder involves a combination of education, experience, skills, and certain personal attributes. While a formal education isn't always a strict requirement, having a background in evolutionary biology and genetics, as well as knowing how to selectively breed for desired characteristics, can provide a solid foundation for understanding the principles of breeding. For example, understanding the principles of genetics is essential for effective breeding. This includes concepts such as dominant and recessive traits, as well as polygenic traits and expressions of traits due to epigenetics. Breeding and creating a new strain can be a long and challenging process that requires patience and persistence. It often takes many years to develop a successful new strain. In this episode, we will discuss what you will need to do and understand to become a true breeder. This is a show you do not want to miss!

Topics Covered:

• The role of genetics and understanding phenotype vs. genotype
• The critical importance of selection, culling, and breeding with purpose
• Why commitment to a single strain is essential for consistency
• How inbreeding, when done right, reveals and refines genetic potential
• The dangers of peddler marketing and scatter breeding
• Why no bird is perfect—and why that’s okay

This is more than just breeding advice—it's a roadmap for creating a legacy of excellence. If you're ready to approach breeding with clarity, integrity, and long-term vision, this episode is your starting point.

Tune in now and elevate your breeding program to the next level.

Welcome to Bred to Perfection with Kenny, Nancy, and Frank – the go-to podcast for serious breeders who want to master the art and science of selective breeding. Hosted by master breeder Kenny Troiano, his wife and co-host Nancy Troiano, and fellow breeder Frank Bradley, this show talks about the principles of genetics, strain development, health management, and everything you need to breed, raise and maintain high-quality chickens and gamefowl.

Each episode offers practical advice, expert interviews, live Q&A sessions, and real-world insight drawn from decades of hands-on experience. Backed by the Breeders Academy, our online learning platform, Bred to Perfection equips breeders of all levels with the knowledge and tools to build strong, sustainable, and productive breeding programs.

New to the show? We're glad you're here! Tune into today’s episode to get a feel for what Bred to Perfection is all about. Whether you're just starting out or refining your own strain, you'll find something valuable in every conversation.

Fridays at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST on YouTubeJoin Kenny Troiano and guests as they explore advanced breeding techniques, poultry nutrition, health management, and genetic sustainability—all with one goal: helping you create high-quality, long-lasting strains.

See ya there!

Kenny Troiano

Founder of "The Breeders Academy" 

We specialize in breeding, and breeding related topics. This includes proper selection practices and the use of proven breeding programs. It is our mission to provide our followers and members a greater understanding of poultry breeding, poultry genetics, poultry health care and disease prevention, and how to improve the production and performance ability of your fowl. 

If you are interested in creating a strain, or improving your established strain, you are in the right place. 

We also want to encourage you to join us at the Breeders Academy, where we will not only help you increase your knowledge of breeding and advance your skills as a breeder, but improve the quality and performance of your fowl.

If you would like to learn more, go to: https://www.breedersacademy.com