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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 real behind-the-scenes info, not theory. We break down why egg foam beats pool noodles and pipe wrap, how double boxing protects your embryos, and what a USPS-approved live bird shipping box should actually look like.

Then we shift into breed and breeder selection:
🐣 Duck eggs vs chicken eggs for allergies
🦆 Why ducks might be perfect for eggs and mosquito control
🦃 Heritage turkeys vs broad-breasted meat birds
🍗 Why we like Bresse as a dual-purpose meat-and-egg breed
🛖 How your housing, space, and goals should drive your breed choices

We also dig into breeding and fertility practices inside the quail barn:
💡 Why 14+ hours of light matters for consistent laying
🥕 How nutrition, vitamins, and species-specific feed affect fertility
🥚 Why you should ask hatch rate questions and how often the breeder test-hatches
📏 Why egg size (pullet eggs vs full-size eggs) absolutely matters
🧬 The difference between a breeder and a producer
😬 Why we don’t medicate everything just to keep weak genetics alive

You’ll also hear specific questions you should be asking any breeder before you send money or buy shipped eggs/birds:

• How do you package hatching eggs and live birds?
• What kind of boxes and materials do you use (USPS-approved, biofilm, foam, peanuts, heat packs)?
• How long have you worked with this line?
• What traits do you select for (size, temperament, production, color, fertility)?
• Do you regularly hatch your own birds to monitor fertility?
• Do you medicate routinely, or do you cull weak birds and keep strong genetics?

🎁 Free Download: We also created a Breeder & Buyer Checklist you can download from the website. Use it to:

• Clarify your own goals (eggs, meat, show, pets, heritage, dual-purpose)
• Compare different breeders side-by-side
• Prepare for the questions you’ll be asked if you start selling in 2026 and beyond

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EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

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