PK360 Audio

 This episode is a must-listen for anyone keen to better understand dual-purpose poultry breeds and their benefits. Get ready to expand your insights into the world of egg and meat production, as we explore the differences and nuances between heritage, standard, and show-quality breeds. We reveal the importance of selecting strong layers and share our top tips for transitioning between breeding generations.

We embark on a discussion about heritage poultry breeds and standards, shedding light on the complexities and intricacies of this fascinating topic. Navigate the often-confusing world of terminologies such as 'heritage poultry' and 'antique tag,' learning the implications and issues that surround them. Uncover the vital importance of maintaining balance and proportion in your poultry breeding endeavors and explore the potential consequences of breeding for size alone. 

Finally, we delve into the ethical considerations of hatching eggs, particularly the challenge of handling the surplus males that result. Be prepared for surprising insight into the staggering number of extra males that result from urban flock keeping. This episode will leave you enriched with poultry breeding insights and equipped to make informed decisions in your poultry pursuits. Enjoy!

Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Ready for a deep dive into the world of poultry nutrition? We're shedding light on everything you need to know. From tailored feed formulas to winter feed adjustments, no details are spared.  We delve into the very backbone of poultry health and productivity, discussing the differences between regular chicken feed and game bird feed. All of this knowledge is fortified with insights from Jeff's book, Niche Poultry Nutrition, and Management, an essential read for all poultry enthusiasts.

But nutrition isn't the only concern for poultry keepers, predators lurk at every corner, from your household pets to fierce birds of prey. We're addressing this common worry by exploring predator behavior, specifically in urban environments, and providing you with practical strategies to safeguard your flock. We're even discussing the effectiveness of avian outdoor netting – a simple yet powerful tool in predator management. 

Lastly, we're offering a treasure trove of resources for poultry keepers. Learn about the Hubbard Breeder Management Guide and the Livestock Conservancy's Heritage Poultry Manual, and how they can streamline your poultry management journey. We're also touching upon the significance of biosecurity and the potential of student field trips for hands-on learning. Plus, we'll discuss a critical aspect of poultry health – obesity, and how diet modifications can ensure the long-term well-being of your birds. So, tune in, this episode is your one-stop resource for all things poultry.

Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Ready to enhance your knowledge about poultry keeping? This episode of the Poultry Keepers podcast promises to equip you with practical tips and valuable insights. We're talking about line breeding, the spiral clan mating system, and the importance of selecting the right birds. Our focus is on the essentials of breeding and incubation, with an emphasis on ethical considerations when dealing with birds that don't make the cut.

We share firsthand experiences with space needs, housing scenarios, and catch methods for both commercial hybrid birds and dual-purpose standard-bred birds. As we navigate through the complexities of flock care, we also delve into nutrition. How do you know if your feed has the right vitamins and minerals? What's the difference between a layer ration and a breeder ration? We uncover these and more, including tips on extending the shelf life of feed and the benefits of a coarse mash for chickens. So whether you're an amateur poultry keeper or you're already into commercial breeding, this episode is sure to pique your interest. Tune in now!

Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Join poultry experts Rip Stalvey, Mandelyn Royal, and John Gunterman in this episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast as they delve into essential chicken-keeping strategies. They discuss the pros and cons of pastured versus cooped birds, addressing predator threats and weather considerations. The conversation also covers effective breeding strategies, the use of electric fencing, and training birds to avoid potential dangers. As colder weather approaches, the hosts provide insights on cold-weather chicken care, including proper ventilation, insulation, breed tolerance to cold, heating systems, feed intake adjustments, brooding boxes, and predator protection. Whether you're a seasoned chicken keeper or just starting out, this episode offers valuable information to keep your flock happy, healthy, and productive.

#ChickenKeeping #PoultryManagement #BackyardChickens #ColdWeatherCare #PredatorProtection #ChickenBreeding #ElectricFencing #CoopVentilation #Homesteading #PoultryKeepersPodcast

Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Ever wondered about the fine line between successfully showcasing your poultry and making grave mistakes that cost you the prize?  This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge as we discuss the critical process of wing and leg banding, handling techniques, and how the Scale of Points in the SOP guides breeding decisions. Prepare to gain a new perspective and hear some game-changing advice!

This episode is also a deep dive into the challenges and risks of breeding for extreme sizes, with the Cornish Cross Broiler as our case study. We explore the impact of breeding on the chicken's form and function, leading to health issues, and how strategic breeding steps can avert these complications. Additionally, we take a close look at poultry feed and nutrition, emphasizing nutrient-rich diets, additional vitamins, and minerals. Get ready to understand how wise feeding strategies can dramatically improve the health and quality of your birds. Join us on this enlightening journey into the fascinating world of poultry breeding and showing.

Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Ready for a deep dive into the  world of poultry breeding? This episode offers a wealth of insights that will help you understand the intricacies of flock quality and the biological marvels inside your birds. We kick things off with a look at how the behavior of male birds can affect fertility and overall flock quality. You'll be surprised to learn about the critical function of grit in a bird’s diet and how internal organs like the gizzard play a pivotal role in extracting nutrients. 

The story doesn't end there though. Shifting gears, we delve into the delicate balance of inbreeding and line breeding, discussing the potential rewards and risks involved. Find out how the breeding value of individual birds can significantly impact your flock. We even share tales from our own journey, revealing the space and resources needed for successful breeding. The final chapter of the episode illustrates the significance of consistent quality, the importance of identifying individual birds accurately, and why single matings matter. So, sit back and come take a journey with us through the world of poultry breeding.

Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Ready to embark on a thrilling journey into the world of poultry breeding? This episode promises to arm you with all the know-how to start your own breeding program, right from selecting your initial flock, determining goals and understanding your operation's scale, to seeking expert advice and grasping the importance of quality breeders. We'll share our top tips, tricks, and some insider secrets that will make your poultry breeding endeavor a resounding success. Record-keeping, intentional early bird stressing, and the value of returning to your original breeder will be among our intriguing discussion points.

But that's not it! We will take a deep dive into breeding strategies, line breeding and family line maintenance, unraveling fascinating insights on outcrossing considerations. We'll discuss the pros and cons of flock mating, and explore the process of evaluating chicks at each stage for hybrid vigor. We'll lay bare the benefits of maintaining the lines through the female side of the breeding and the advantages of keeping related birds in the same pen, all leading to consistent and uniform results. Whether you're a seasoned breeder or a newbie, this episode is a treasure trove of information you won't want to miss. So, tune in, take notes, and let's get breeding!

Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Ever pondered how the timing of hatches influences your chickens' behavior and health? Brace yourself for an enlightening conversation where we dissect this intriguing aspect of poultry keeping. We share our first-hand experiences on the effects of hatching in different seasons and how they shape your birds' habits. Ignite your understanding of the crucial role timing plays, especially when preparing your feathery friends for shows. Discover the magic of introducing chicks to the great outdoors early on, and bask in the effects it has on their growth and overall well-being.

Picture this: you've received your shipment of hatching eggs, but what comes next is a maze filled with challenges. Don't fret; we've got your back! Join us as we delve into the complexities of incubating hatching eggs. Get to grips with the assorted incubation methods and how each influences your hatching rates. Plus, we put different incubators under the microscope, examining their quality and potential risks during power blackouts. Here's to optimizing your poultry keeping skills!

Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

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-edged sword, so choose wisely!

In this journey to poultry excellence, we also shed light on bone spacing and bird evaluation, imparting tried and tested wisdom on assessing the shape and feel of your bird's body. You'll pick up tips on identifying a narrow bird with pinched tails from a wider one and discover the significance of finger width measurements. And if you're just starting out, we have you covered with practical advice. Wrapping up, we delve into the crucial aspects of managing light and growth in your flock, making sure your birds are not just surviving, but thriving. So, tune in, gear up and let's embark on this journey to poultry success!

Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

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 when breeding for production qualities.

In our exploration of egg production, we put the spotlight on persistent layers, a critical cog in any thriving poultry operation. We dissect the cycle of egg laying, and how understanding a hen's productivity timings can provide key insights. Plus, we tackle the lifespan of egg-laying hens and the strategic thinning of the flock to improve it's  performance. 

Don’t miss the next episode where we dive deeper into poultry operations and breeding techniques. A successful poultry operation isn't just a dream, it's potential reality. Are you ready to turn that potential into action? Tune in and get started on your poultry operation journey today!

Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers 360 - -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973