PK360 Audio

Think your chicken coop is “good enough”? What Jeff reveals in this episode will change the way you look at every part of your coop—from the floor under their feet to the air they breathe. Most poultry keepers focus on predators, bedding, or heat… but the real secrets that make coops safe, healthy, and long-lasting are hiding in plain sight.

In this episode of Poultry Keepers Podcast, Rip, Carey, and poultry nutrition expert Jeff Mattocks break down the most misunderstood parts of coop design. You’ll learn why insulation isn’t necessary (even at –30°F), how poor airflow silently harms your birds long before you smell ammonia, and why choosing the wrong flooring can invite bumblefoot, mud problems, and rapid coop deterioration.

They also dig into practical setup strategies: coop orientation, shade vs. sun, rooftop ventilation, predator-proofing, choosing between DIY and ready-made coops, and how to avoid the biggest mistake new keepers make—underbuilding and falling victim to chicken math.

If you’ve ever wondered why some coops stay clean, dry, odor-free, and predator-proof—and yours doesn’t—this episode gives you the missing pieces.

listen now to uncover the design flaws most flock owners never notice… until problems show up.

FREE WORKBOOK:
Download the Coop Design Workbook with ventilation calculators, square-footage guidelines, and referenced materials inside the Poultry Keepers 360 Facebook Group, Files section.

Visit www.thepoultrykeeperspodcst.com to listen now.

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If you’ve ever wondered why some coops keep birds healthy and thriving while others create nonstop problems… this episode is your missing blueprint. Rip Stalvey, Jeff Mattocks, and Carey Blackmon break down the real factors that make or break a coop—space requirements, ventilation, run design, soil management, flock stress, and more.

Whether you’re building your first coop or improving one you’ve used for years, this conversation will help you avoid the hidden mistakes that lead to behavioral issues, respiratory problems, soil burnout, predator vulnerability, and long-term maintenance headaches.

In Part 1, you’ll learn:
• The 3 critical elements every coop must have
• How flock goals shape coop design
• Real indoor & outdoor space requirements per bird
• Why overcrowding triggers stress and weak immunity
• Managing soil health in runs and high-traffic areas
• Smart run rotation to prevent pathogen overload
• How to use gardens, cover crops, and liming to restore soil
• Coop height, roost height, and placement mistakes
• Doors, pop doors, flooring, hardware, and cleaning efficiency
• Practical examples from Florida, Texas, Oklahoma & beyond

This episode is packed with hands-on, real-world solutions from people who’ve built and rebuilt dozens of coops—from backyard setups to pasture-based systems.

Next week: Coop Design Secrets – Part 2
We’ll dive deeper into roost systems, ventilation specifics, predator protection, and layout tips that make caring for your birds easier year-round.

If you love learning, improving your setup, and raising healthier, happier birds… you’re in the right place.

Watch, learn, and subscribe for more poultry wisdom every week.
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Welcome to Part 4 of the Poultry Health Master Class, featuring poultry nutritionist Jeff Mattocks and poultry educator Carey Blackmon. In this final session of the series, Jeff and Carey walk through advanced poultry health concepts, including how to recognize internal issues through necropsy, how heart attack presents in chickens, and how to manage rare but serious conditions like Egg Drop Syndrome (EDS).

You’ll also learn practical, science-based natural remedies for improving flock health, including the correct use of garlic, oregano, sulfur, ashes, cayenne pepper, and herbal tinctures—and why using these tools only as needed keeps them effective.

This episode also covers:
 • Diagnosing a heart attack in chickens using firmness, tone, color, and posture
 • How Egg Drop Syndrome spreads, what it looks like, and how to support recovery
 • When a leathery egg isn’t EDS (normal pullet behavior)
• How external parasites take hold, and how to get rid of them for good
• Using dust baths, sulfur, and internal support to change blood chemistry
• Oregano oil as an antimicrobial and antiviral (not an antibiotic!)
• Why herbs should be used as treatments—not daily feed additives
• Whether scalding affects necropsy results when processing birds
• How cayenne pepper helps with blackhead and parasite pressure
• The value of the Merck Veterinary Manual for diagnosing poultry problems

This master class gives backyard poultry keepers the practical, real-world knowledge to manage health issues, support recovery, prevent unnecessary losses, and avoid the misinformation common on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe for the next series on Poultry Coop Design, and revisit Parts 1–3 to complete the full Master Class experience.

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In Part 3 of the Poultry Health Master Class on The Poultry Keepers Podcast, hosts Carey Blackmon and Jeff Mattocks continue their deep dive into poultry health, exploring the causes, symptoms, and management of some of the most common ailments affecting flocks today. This educational episode covers Marek’s disease, gout, bumblefoot, rickets, nutritional deficiencies, and chronic respiratory disease (CRD)—each explained with clarity and real-world experience that backyard and small-flock keepers can trust.

You’ll learn how stress and environment influence disease outbreaks, what hidden factors make Marek’s difficult to identify, and why gout and bumblefoot are often preventable with proper management and diet. Carey and Jeff also explain how to spot early signs of vitamin and mineral imbalances, recognize curled toes and rickets, and understand the role of necropsy in getting accurate answers when birds decline unexpectedly.

Whether you’re raising backyard layers, show birds, or dual-purpose flocks, this episode will give you practical insights to strengthen your flock’s health through better management, nutrition, and prevention.

Subscribe to The Poultry Keepers Podcast for more expert-led discussions on poultry management, breeding, and nutrition. Visit www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com to listen now, plus the complete episode archives and resources for small flock success.

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In this follow-up episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, poultry experts Jeff Mattocks and Carey Blackmon dive deep into the details of building and maintaining reliable poultry water systems for every season.

Learn how to design a system that keeps your flock’s water clean, cool, and flowing — even in freezing winter temperatures or summer heat waves. Discover the pros and cons of nipple and cup systems, how to reduce water pressure safely, and practical DIY tricks for heat and freeze protection that actually work.

You’ll also get hands-on insights from real setups:

• How to size pumps and manage water pressure correctly.
• Cup and nipple system pros, cons, and maintenance tips.
• Gravity flow vs. recirculating setups — which is best for your flock?
• Winter freeze protection using heat lamps, pipe heaters, and low-voltage systems.
• How poor water access stops hens from laying — and what to do about it.

Whether you raise backyard layers, breeders, or show birds, this episode is packed with real-world advice from trusted experts who’ve built systems that last.

Listen now: www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com
Subscribe for weekly episodes on flock management, nutrition, and poultry health!

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Welcome to another episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast! In this first part of our two-part deep dive, Carey Blackmon and Jeff Mattocks unpack everything you need to know about poultry water systems—from nipple and cup design to keeping water clean, cool, and algae-free.

Whether you’re raising a few backyard hens or managing a larger breeding flock, clean water is critical for bird health, growth, and egg production. Carey and Jeff share practical solutions for summer heat, winter freeze protection, pH balance, and choosing the right equipment for chicks, layers, and turkeys.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How water quality affects feed intake and production.
• The difference between chick, layer, and turkey nipple drinkers.
• Safe ways to reduce algae and keep systems clean.
• How temperature and light affect water consumption.
• Smart hacks to cool water in summer and prevent freezing in winter.
• Why system design matters for consistent flock health.

This episode is packed with proven tips, real-world experiences, and Jeff Mattocks’ professional insight into water quality and system setup.

🎧 Listen now at  : www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com  Then get ready for Part 2 of Poultry Water Systems next week!

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In this episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, Jeff Mattocks and Carey Blackmon continue their Poultry Health Master Class with an in-depth look at real-world health issues every poultry keeper faces. Learn how to recognize early symptoms, identify management causes, and apply effective solutions for viral and bacterial conditions that can affect your flock.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding and managing Mycoplasma-related respiratory disease
• Recognizing Botulism and how Clostridium bacteria cause “limber-neck” in chickens
• Identifying Gout in poultry and how protein and calcium imbalance trigger joint pain
• The difference between Bumblefoot and Gout—and what causes each
• Roundworms, tapeworms, and cecal worms: how they spread and how to prevent reinfection
• Coccidiosis: how it develops, the role of soil management, and how balance builds natural immunity
• Why overusing medications like Corid can actually harm gut health
• Practical prevention through nutrition, sanitation, and observation

If you want to improve your flock’s long-term health and understand the “why” behind poultry problems, this session is for you.

Listen, learn, and take notes—because a healthy flock starts with informed management.

To listen now go to: www.thepoultrykeeperspordcast.com

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Welcome to The Poultry Keepers Podcast! In this first installment of our four-part Poultry Health Master Class series, Carey Blackmon and Jeff Mattocks dive deep into the most common poultry health issues—and how to manage them naturally and effectively.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify and treat:

• Dry vs. Wet Fowl Pox — what they look like and how they spread
• Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and what signs to watch for
• CRD (Mycoplasma) and other respiratory illnesses: prevention and biosecurity
• Fowl Cholera and other look-alike respiratory conditions
• The right use of natural remedies like garlic tincture, oregano, and CEG (Cayenne + Echinacea + Garlic)
• Smart management tips for small-flock health, mosquito control, and maintaining strong immune systems

This is the must-hear foundation for anyone who wants to raise healthier birds without relying heavily on antibiotics. Tune in as Carey and Jeff share real-world insights, field-tested remedies, and practical prevention strategies every small-flock keeper can use.

Don’t miss Part 2 next Tuesday as the Poultry Health Master Class continues!
 
 

Visit www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com to listen now and for more episodes, guides, and free resources.

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In Part 2 of Getting Ready for Breeding Season, The Poultry Keepers Podcast continues the conversation with deeper insights into preparing your flock for success. This episode covers critical topics every poultry keeper should know, including:

• How to manage lighting for optimal fertility without stressing birds
• The role of water systems and continuous flow setups in maintaining flock health
• Why nutrition—especially amino acids like lysine, methionine, and threonine—directly impacts egg quality and chick vigor
• Ideal egg sizes for hatching strong, healthy chicks
• Housing and nest box designs that reduce stress and encourage reliable laying
• The importance of fresh greens, sprouts, and even alfalfa in boosting vitamin A and embryo development

Whether you’re raising heritage breeds, managing a small backyard flock, or preparing birds for show, this discussion provides actionable steps to elevate your breeding program.

To listen to this episode, visit www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com 

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryBreedersNutrition #ShowProFarmSupply #PoultryBreeding #ChickenBreeding #BackyardChickens #PoultryNutrition #HeritagePoultry #BreedingSeason

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Are your chickens truly ready for breeding season? In this episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, Jeff Mattocks and Carey Blackmon dive into everything small flock keepers need to know to prepare for a successful breeding program. From selecting the best hens and roosters with the fewest defects, to setting realistic long-term goals for your flock, this discussion lays the foundation for healthier birds and stronger bloodlines.

You’ll also hear practical tips on lighting management, line breeding vs. inbreeding, and how to avoid common mistakes that new breeders make. Whether you want to hatch ten chicks or one thousand, this episode will give you the tools to get started the right way.

Don’t miss Part 2 of this conversation next week, where we continue exploring strategies to take your breeding program even further.

Listen to this episode here: www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com

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