In this information-packed episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, we dive deep into how to evaluate and select true dual-purpose poultry breeds for both meat and egg production. Join Rip, Jeff, Carey, and Mandelyn as they discuss hands-on selection techniques, key body traits, breed standards, carcass evaluation, and how to use real production data to make better breeding decisions.

Whether you’re breeding American Bresse, Rhode Island Reds, or other traditional dual-purpose breeds, this episode will help you understand what to look for in males and females at different ages, how to balance traits, and why the best breeders also process and eat their own birds.

Don’t miss this honest, experience-based conversation on making meaningful progress in your flock by focusing on structure, productivity, and purpose, not just appearance. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. Be sure to catch Part 2 next week!

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This is the conclusion of last week's episode.

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!

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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!

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Think your chicken coop is “good enough”? What Rip, Jeff, and Carey reveal 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, we 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.

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

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #CoopDesign #BackyardChickens #ChickenCoopTips #PoultryCare #HealthyFlock #ChickenCoopVentilation #DIYChickenCoop #BackyardPoultry #ChickenMath #PredatorProofing #PoultryEducation #SmallFlockCare #HomesteadChickens

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Discover the real secrets behind a clean, productive, low-stress chicken coop that keeps your birds happy, healthy, and stress-free. In this episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, Rip Stalvey, Jeff Mattocks, and Carey Blackmon reveal the five coop setup choices that have the biggest impact on flock health, egg quality, and ease of management. These aren’t the tips you find on Pinterest—these are the practical, experience-backed methods used by lifelong poultry keepers. 

In Part 1, you’ll learn how the right roost design, nest-box setup, and coop interior layout can instantly reduce mess, prevent squabbles, protect feet, increase egg cleanliness, and make daily chores faster and easier. You’ll also hear real-world tips on roost height, materials, spacing per bird, discouraging nest-box sleeping, and the surprising role darkness and privacy play in encouraging clean, well-shaped eggs. 

If you want a coop that practically runs itself, and a flock that stays healthier with less work, this episode lays the foundation. Whether you’re a brand-new backyard keeper or a seasoned poultry enthusiast looking to refine your setup, these insights will help you build a coop that works with your birds—not against them.

Watch Part 2 next week for the remaining secrets and a full breakdown of bedding choices, deep-litter methods, and how to reduce coop labor without sacrificing flock health!

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #ChickenCoopSetup #BackyardChickens #ChickenKeepingTips #FreshEggsDaily #PoultryCare #HomesteadChickens #ChickenCoopDesign #RaisingChickens #ChickenRoosts #NestingBoxes #CleanEggs #PoultryHealth #ChickenBeginners #FlockManagement #BackyardFarming #UrbanChickens #HealthyChickens #CoopSecrets

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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.

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #CoopDesign #BackyardChickens #ChickenCoopTips #PoultryCare #HealthyFlock #ChickenCoopVentilation #DIYChickenCoop #BackyardPoultry #ChickenMath #PredatorProofing #PoultryEducation #SmallFlockCare #HomesteadChickens

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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.
#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #BackyardChickens #ChickenCoops #CoopDesign #PoultryHealth #Homesteading #RaisingChickens #ChickenRunDesign #PoultryTips #SmallFlockKeeping #HeritagePoultry 

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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.

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryHealth #BackyardChickens #ChickenHealth #FlockManagement #PoultryNutrition #ChickenCare #NaturalPoultryRemedies #HomesteadChickens #ChickenIllness #EggDropSyndrome #MerckVetManual

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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.

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryHealth #MareksDisease #ChickenCare #FlockHealth #BackyardChickens #PoultryManagement #PoultryNutrition #PoultryDiseases #SmallFlockSuccess #HeritagePoultry #ChickenHealthTips

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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!

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryWaterSystems #BackyardChickens #HomesteadFarming #ChickenCoopSetup #PoultryHealth #FlockManagement #PoultryTips #ChickenWaterer #DIYChickenCoop #PoultryCare #HeritagePoultry

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