PK360 Audio

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 clear understanding of how it affects the respiratory tracts and eye health of poultry.

Changing gears, we rope in an equally enlightening chat about the importance of balanced nutrient levels for poultry. It's not just about the protein, folks! We'll delve into the necessity of amino acids, fats, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, D, E and lysine and methionine. Learn why ignoring the tags on commercial feeds could be your biggest mistake and how the right balance of nutrients can make your birds healthier and more vigorous. Let's embark on this journey to understand what truly goes into laying eggs with robust shells. Tune in and let's crack this together!

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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 also shares compelling insights about how a properly managed mold can ensure the robustness and productivity of your birds for generations to come.

In the latter part of our chat, we discuss the significant aspects of hen molting and lighting, underlining the need to mitigate stress and aggression. We delve into the nuances of modifying lighting and creating extra space to provide a conducive environment for your birds. Additionally, we ponder over the merits of hatching in the fall to regulate your birds' size. We delve deeper into the importance of achieving an optimal pullet weight for your birds and how this impacts fertility and the number of eggs in the subsequent lay cycle. As we wrap up, we underscore the significance of feather quality and body weight in managing poultry. Tune in to our enlightening podcast episode to enrich your knowledge about these essential poultry management techniques.

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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's YouTube channel,  "Arcadian Orchard." 

The journey with your feathered friends is one of constant learning. We highlight the significance of poultry flock journaling and understanding the whole bird - top line to bottom line and everything in between. Want to document your journey and inspire others? We've got the scoop on capturing the perfect photos and videos of your flock. 

Embarking on this journey can be daunting, but we'll guide you on finding a mentor in poultry breeding to help navigate the highs and lows. We discuss building trust with your mentor, surviving the plateau phase, and the importance of building a reputation in the poultry community. So, whether you're a seasoned poultry keeper or an enthusiastic beginner, let's embark on this educational adventure together. Remember, the key is to start where you are, with what you have.

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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 resources that aid bird breeding and standards. We tell you where to find the most trusted historical books, how to stay updated with breed standards, and highlight the benefit of reading university studies. You'll learn about invaluable resources like "The Call of the Hen"  by Walter Hogan and the treasure trove of PDF books available on http://www.archive.org. 

So, whether you're a newbie poultry keeper or an experienced breeder, this episode is a must-listen!

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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-fast-track breeding timeline, courtesy of a like-minded breeder.

Venturing further into the poultry realm, we steer the conversation from the agricultural production focus to the importance of dual-purpose birds. Learn how the financial motives of past breeders and the public's interest in hybrid chickens  have shaped our hobby. We discuss the value of birds bred for both form and function, and how aligning your expectations with your poultry goals can lead to success. 

From our backgrounds unique perspectives, we provide a guide on your poultry keeping journey, topping it off with valuable resources. So, don't just listen, join us on this fascinating adventure to poultry success.

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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 importance of being hands-on, Mandelyn shares her insights and experiences about the impact of various factors such as environment, nutrition, and husbandry practices on birds. We also explore the intriguing aspects of observing chicken behavior, a crucial component in making important judgment calls in poultry keeping.

To wrap up, we unravel the critical steps of starting in poultry keeping, including the need for a strategic plan and beginning the process months or even a year in advance.  We emphasize the benefits of finding a mentor and conducting thorough research on your chosen breed. So, whether you're a novice poultry keeper or a seasoned pro, this episode promises to be an enriching experience, filled with practical and valuable insights. Join us in this fascinating journey!

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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, exploring their significance in mitigating heat stress. We'll also enlighten you on the correlation between high temperatures, feed composition, and daylight hours. You'll learn some innovative ways to encourage your birds to drink more water. Finally, we’ll also discover the fascinating benefits of adding molasses, ginger, garlic, and vitamin or mineral supplements to their diet. This whirlwind discussion is sure to leave you with great insights and practical tips for bird care during the hot weather. So, join us in this engaging conversation, and let's beat the heat together!

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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 quality grit, and maintaining the optimal feeder height, in addition to the benefits of regular bird handling and weighing. Plus, we explore the economic wisdom of keeping only the best performers in your flock, especially in challenging financial times. Finally, we emphasise the value of high-quality feed; an investment that pays off in the long run. We're here to guide you through these practical tips, with a bonus of a how-to video on creating a cost-effective PVC pipe feeder in our show notes. Listen in and let us help you navigate the waters of poultry feeding cost-effectively.

Here's a video link for a DIY poultry feeder that reduces feed loss and is inexpensive to build.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXdcUqgAoVY&t=343s

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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 essential amino acids and omega-3s, supporting liver function and proper cholesterol deposition. Listeners will gain insights into balancing methionine, vitamins, and minerals for optimal health and feather development, along with recognizing signs of excessive methionine intake. The episode also covers strategies to prevent diseases such as coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis through proper nutrition and cleanliness and explores the roles of minerals like iron and copper, as well as B vitamins, in reducing stress and enhancing reproductive performance. Tune in to learn how to bolster your flock's health through informed nutritional choices. 

#PoultryHealth #ChickenNutrition #DiseasePrevention #VitaminE #Selenium #MethionineBalance #Coccidiosis #NecroticEnteritis #PoultryImmuneSupport #BackyardChickens 

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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 your birds annually and the emotional challenges that come with it. Timing hatches correctly and potentially selling excess birds to the backyard chicken market are also key to maintaining a flock. As we dive into the different stages of poultry development, Jeff shares crucial information on the nutritional needs for each stage, including the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, lysine, and methionine.

Don't miss the chance to learn from an expert and improve the health and wellbeing of your flock! Find out more about supplements for poultry nutrition, such as poultry show and breeder supplement powder, and explore Jeff's book Niche Poultry - Feeding and Management. Thanks for joining us on this informative episode of the Poultry Keepers podcast!

You can find Fertrell's Poultry Show and Breeders Supplement here.

Jeff Mattocks Nice Poultry" book is available here.

Email Jeff Mattocks with your poultry Nutrition Questions:  [email protected]

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