In this bonus episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, host Rip Stalvey dives into one of the most critical yet overlooked components of poultry nutrition—amino acids. Whether you're raising layers, broilers, breeders, or show birds, understanding the role of amino acids can dramatically improve your flock’s health, productivity, behavior, and appearance.

Learn how amino acids like methionine, lysine, and threonine affect feather development, muscle growth, egg production, immunity, and even temperament. Discover why crude protein percentages don’t tell the whole story, and what to look for in a well-formulated poultry feed. If you’ve ever wondered why your birds aren't performing at their best despite having “enough protein,” this episode is for you.

Tune in for practical tips on identifying amino acid deficiencies, interpreting feed labels, and balancing your poultry’s diet for optimal results.

Listen, subscribe and explore more resources at www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryBreedersNutrition #ShowProFarmSupply #AminoAcidsForChickens #ChickenFeedTips #PoultryNutritionMatters #BetterBirdsThroughNutrition #BackyardFlockCare #HealthyChickensGrowBetter

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In this insightful episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, host Rip Stalvey is joined by Mandelyn Royal and John Gunterman to explore one of the most powerful yet misunderstood aspects of poultry breeding: Smart Selection. 

Whether you're raising birds for eggs, meat, show, or heritage preservation, this conversation breaks down how purposeful culling and intentional selection can make or break your flock's future. Discover when and how to begin selecting birds, how to use records and daily observations to evaluate progress, and why even small decisions during brooding can have long-term impacts on flock quality. 

From choosing which chicks to keep, to identifying hidden structural flaws, to weighing birds for growth tracking, this episode is packed with practical, proven strategies. If you're ready to move beyond maintenance and toward meaningful flock improvement, this is a must-listen.

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #SmartSelection #BackyardChickens #HeritageBreeds #FlockImprovement #PoultryBreeding #ShowProFarmSupply #ChickenGenetics #PurposefulCulling #BetterBirdsBetterFlocks #FlockManagement

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In this bonus episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, host Rip Stalvey breaks down what it really takes to feed your quail for success at every life stage. From the high-protein, high-fat needs of newly hatched chicks to the adjusted calcium and vitamin requirements of breeders, this episode covers the full nutritional roadmap for small flock quail keepers. Based on insights from Jeff Mattocks’ “Quail Nutrition 101” presentation and his book Niche Poultry: Feeding and Management, you'll get practical, science-backed advice on how to feed quail for optimal growth, egg production, and chick viability. 

Learn what to feed, when to make diet changes, and how to avoid common mistakes that can waste feed, hurt performance, or reduce hatch rates. Whether you're raising Coturnix quail for meat, eggs, or hatching stock, this episode is your complete feeding guide.

To listen to this content or subscribe for more poultry nutrition tips and visit us at www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com for bonus content and resources.

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In this Coop Wisdom bonus episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, host Rip Stalvey walks you through a step-by-step, non-fasting molting method that supports your flock’s health, comfort, and future egg production.

Learn what molting is, when it occurs, why it matters, and how you can manage it humanely without depriving your hens. You’ll discover how to adjust your flock’s diet, lighting, and care to guide them through this critical rest-and-renewal phase with confidence.

Whether you're new to backyard chickens or a seasoned small-flock keeper, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, expert tips, and encouragement to help your birds molt right and come back better than ever.

For more bonus episodes, articles, and resources, visit https://www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com

Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast app!

#MoltingChickens #BackyardPoultryCare #ChickenHealth #SmallFlockSolutions #HumaneMolt #FeatheredWisdom #PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryBreedersNutrition #ShowProFarmSupply

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In this episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, we continue our deep dive into the fascinating world of grow outs. Hosts John, Mandelyn, and Rip explore the subtle and not-so-subtle messages your young flock sends you every day—if you know how to look.

From activity levels and social behavior to the impact of nutrition, grit, and space on development, this conversation is packed with real-world insights for backyard poultry keepers. You’ll learn how to spot early signs of issues, make smart culling decisions, adjust feed strategies, and improve your record-keeping for long-term success.

We also touch on why amino acids matter more than protein percentages, how feed freshness affects performance, and how to save money while improving flock health. Whether you’re raising layers or breeders, this episode offers valuable tips you can use right now to grow better birds.

Your birds are telling a story. Learn how to read it.

To listen to this episode and to subscribe to the podcast, visit www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com for bonus episodes and free resources.

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryBreedersNutrition #ShowProFarmSupply #ChickenGrowOut #RaisingBetterBirds #BackyardPoultryTips #PoultryNutritionMatters #GritAndGrowth #ChickenBehavior #BackyardFlockCare #YoungFlockDevelopment #BetterBirdsStartHere

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It’s mosquito season—and that means your birds may be at higher risk of Fowl Pox, a viral disease that spreads rapidly through bites, contact, and contaminated surfaces.

In this bonus episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, host Rip Stalvey breaks down:

• What fowl pox is and how to recognize it
• How it spreads in your flock
• What treatments help reduce symptoms and secondary infections
• The best ways to prevent outbreaks before they start

Whether you’re a backyard hobbyist or a seasoned breeder, this 15-minute segment gives you practical, up-to-date advice to keep your flock healthy and productive.

Be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes and bonus content on poultry health, nutrition, and flock management.

🎧 Available at: www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com

#FowlPox #PoultryHealth #ChickenVirus #BackyardChickens #PoultryPodcast #MosquitoSeason #FlockCare #ChickenIllness #PoultryPrevention #AvianPox #FlockManagement #HomesteadChickens #ThePoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKIeepers360 #PoultryreedersNutrition

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In this bonus episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, we dive into a vital but often overlooked trait in poultry breeding: body capacity. Whether you raise birds for meat, eggs, or sustainability, understanding and improving body capacity can elevate your flock's productivity and long-term health.

Hosted by Rip Stalvey, this episode covers:

• What body capacity really means in poultry
• How to evaluate it using hands-on methods
• Why it's a key trait for feed efficiency, egg production, and vigor
• Proven strategies to breed birds with better internal volume
• How nutrition and management influence genetic expression

If you’re serious about breeding birds that thrive—not just survive—this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

Get practical tips you can use right away to build stronger, more productive birds for the future.

Liked this episode? Share it with a fellow poultry keeper and subscribe for weekly deep dives into nutrition, genetics, and management.

Visit our website: www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com

#PoultryPodcast #PoultryBreeding #BodyCapacity #BackyardChickens #DualPurposeFlock #ChickenBreedingTips #FlockManagement #ChickenSelection #MeatBirds #LayingHens #BreederTips #HeritageBreeds

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Discover the secrets hidden in your young flock’s development!
In this episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, we dive deep into the overlooked but crucial grow-out phase—the time between brooding and maturity. Learn how to observe, track, and interpret the subtle (and not-so-subtle) messages your birds are giving you.

Join Rip, John and Mandelyn as they share proven tips on:

• Early growth indicators and what they mean
• Choosing future breeders through observation
• Managing nutrition, housing, and temperament
• Understanding the role of genetics, feed, and environment
• Recordkeeping tips that help guide breeding and culling decisions

Whether you're raising birds for eggs, meat, or show, this episode will help you level up your poultry knowledge.

Don’t forget to subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday, plus bonus content on Thursdays and Saturdays!

Do you have a poultry friend who would benefit from this? Share this episode and help them grow stronger flocks, too.

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In this bonus episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, host Rip Stalvey dives into one of the most important questions in poultry hatching: What is the most critical part of the incubation process—and when does it matter most?

While many poultry keepers focus on temperature, humidity, and egg turning, Rip explains why the first 10 days of incubation are the true foundation for hatch success. You’ll learn what’s happening inside the egg during this window, how early mistakes can lead to weak chicks or failed hatches, and what you can do to set your embryos up for success.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the first 10 days are so critical to hatchability
• What to expect in embryo development during early incubation
• How to optimize egg selection, preheating, and temperature control
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Real-world techniques to increase hatch rate and chick vitality

Whether you're incubating for the first time or fine-tuning your hatchery routine, this episode offers practical guidance rooted in decades of hands-on experience.

Visit https://www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com for more expert advice, bonus content, and to leave Rip a voice message with your questions or feedback.

#PoultryKeepersPodcast, #EggIncubationTips, #BackyardChickens, #IncubationSuccess, #HealthyChicks, #HatchDayPrep, #ChickenHatching, #EmbryoDevelopment, #PoultryIncubation, #HatchabilityMatters, #BetterBrooders 

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In this personal and down-to-earth episode, Rip Stalvey shares why poultry nutrition isn’t just about feed—it’s about the food we ultimately serve our families. When we raise backyard chickens, their health, egg quality, and meat flavor are a direct reflection of what we put in their feeders. That’s why we say: We are what we eat, eats.

You'll learn how intentional poultry feeding choices—like balanced amino acids, calcium, high-quality fats, and grit—make all the difference. We’ll explore why pasture access isn’t enough without a complete feed, how to improve egg yolk color and shell strength, and how feeding for each bird’s purpose (layers, broilers, or breeders) leads to better outcomes.

Whether you’re feeding laying hens, raising broilers, or managing a dual-purpose flock, this episode provides real-life guidance on how to make smarter, more sustainable feed choices—even on a budget.

This conversation is for anyone who wants healthier birds, better eggs, and more flavorful meat. Because feeding your chickens isn’t just farm work—it’s food work.

Visit https://www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com to leave a voice message, get more resources, and join our growing community of intentional poultry keepers.

#PoultryKeepersPodcast, #BackyardChickens, #ChickenNutrition, #IntentionalFeeding, #WeAreWhatWeEatEats, #LayerHenCare, #BetterEggs, #FeedForFlavor, #BackyardBroilers, #PoultryHealth, #ChickenFeedingTips, #FarmToTable, #PastureRaised, #FeedMatters, and #SustainablePoultry 

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