send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!

In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we sit down with Brittany from Knights Poultry and Lab in Mississippi to explore the fascinating world of chicken DNA testing. From sexing Silkies and Ameraucanas to identifying the blue egg gene, recessive white, chocolate, lavender, and even duck or emu testing, Brittany shares how she turned a personal hobby into a growing poultry lab serving breeders nationwide.

We cover:

• How DNA testing helps chicken owners avoid surprises in city limits & HOAs 🏡
• Why Silkies, Ameraucanas, and call ducks are common candidates for poultry testing
• Step-by-step process for collecting a sample and submitting it for fast results
• What DNA tests can reveal (blue egg gene, recessive white, chocolate, lavender, and more)
• The future of poultry genetics, including fibro and quail egg testing

Whether you’re raising chickens for show, breeding projects, or backyard fun, this episode is packed with practical insights into poultry science, genetics, and the tools that can save you time, feed, and space.

🔗 Learn more about Brittany’s work at KnightsPoultryandLab.com
.

Keywords: chicken DNA testing, chicken genetics, chicken sexing, poultry DNA lab, Silkie chicken genetics, Ameraucana blue egg gene, poultry breeding tools, chicken health, poultry lab services

Support the show

Feel Free to email us at - [email protected]

Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerds

Sign up for News at PoultryNerds.com

EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. [email protected]

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!

In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we dive deep into how to assess your chicken’s health—from daily live observations to hands-on necropsy techniques. Carey and Jennifer share detailed notes from their flocks, including Orpington grow-out observations, line breeding practices, and surprising behavior differences when young cockerels are raised with mature roosters.

We also cover:

• What to look for in combs, wattles, eyes, and feathers
• How to check chickens for mites, lice, and scaly leg mites
• The importance of vigor, temperament, and survivability in breeding selection
• Simple tools and methods for performing a home necropsy
• Why observing chickens in natural flocks teaches valuable lessons

Whether you’re showing chickens, running a homestead, or raising poultry for meat and eggs, this episode gives you practical tools to keep your flock healthy and thriving.

🔗 Visit PoultryNerdsPodcast.com
 for reference materials, necropsy guides, and bonus resources.

Keywords: assessing chicken health, chicken necropsy, poultry care, backyard chickens, chicken mites, chicken breeding, Orpington chickens, poultry nutrition, homestead chickens

Support the show

Feel Free to email us at - [email protected]

Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerds

Sign up for News at PoultryNerds.com

EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. [email protected]

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!

We’re back with another Next Level Nerds episode, and this one’s packed with real-world farming grit and laughs. 🐓🌱

Meet Bernadine & Ray from Redmond Hills Farm in Oregon. They’ve turned retirement into full-time farming—raising pasture-raised Cornish chickens, quail for eggs & meat, and even working with Longhorn cattle. But their journey is far from simple…

🔥 In this episode:
 ✔️ Navigating farm-use tax laws & building permits in Oregon
 ✔️ Expanding from chickens to quail (and now selling chicks to farm stores)
 ✔️ Dealing with cougars, bears & owls raiding the flock 🦉🐾
 ✔️ How HOAs tried to ban their “live eggs” 🤯
 ✔️ The struggle (and fun) of turning a hobby into a profitable farm business

If you’ve ever thought about taking your backyard flock to the next level, or just want to hear some wild farm stories, this episode is for you!

Support the show

Feel Free to email us at - [email protected]

Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerds

Sign up for News at PoultryNerds.com

EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. [email protected]

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!

Ever wondered which chicken, duck, or quail breed is best for your self-sufficient lifestyle? In this fun and informative episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and Jennifer compare their two very different homesteads—one on multiple acres, one on a small plot—to show how anyone can start raising poultry, no matter the space.

We dive into heritage breeds like Orpingtons and American Bresse, fast-growing Cornish Cross, ducks for natural pest control, and quail for small-space egg and meat production. You’ll learn about feed costs, flavor differences, processing tips (hello, Instant Pot magic!), and how each bird can play a unique role on your homestead.

Whether you’re on half an acre in the city or 20 acres in the country, this episode will inspire you to take the first step toward raising your own food—and give you the confidence to figure out what works for you.

Key topics covered:

• Heritage vs. commercial poultry breeds for meat and eggs
• Ducks as natural mosquito and fly control
• Quail for small spaces and urban homesteads
• Cost, feed conversion, and flavor profiles
• Tips for processing and cooking older birds
• The importance of adapting advice to your land, climate, and lifestyle

Keywords

poultry podcast, poultry breeds, heritage chicken breeds, Cornish Cross, American Bresse chicken, Orpington chickens, ducks for pest control, quail for meat and eggs, small space farming, self-sufficient living, homestead poultry, raising poultry, backyard chickens, poultry self sufficiency, homesteading podcast

Support the show

Feel Free to email us at - [email protected]

Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerds

Sign up for News at PoultryNerds.com

EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. [email protected]

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!

Thinking about raising chickens but overwhelmed by fancy coops and expensive setups? In this down-to-earth episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we go back to basics with practical, budget-friendly tips for beginners. From cardboard box brooders to free pallet coops, we share our first chicken stories, starter equipment, predator protection advice, and what you actually need—vs what social media says you should buy. Whether you're raising chicks for the first time or looking to simplify your setup, this episode will give you confidence, clarity, and a few laughs along the way.

• how to start raising chickens
• raising backyard chickens on a budget
• chicken coop setup for beginners
• cheap chicken brooder ideas
• beginner chicken keeping tips
• backyard chicken essentials
• poultry starter guide
• low-cost chicken coop ideas
• how to brood chicks at home
• predator protection for chickens
• chicken math explained
• what you need to raise chicks

Support the show

Feel Free to email us at - [email protected]

Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerds

Sign up for News at PoultryNerds.com

EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. [email protected]

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!

In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we sit down with Whitney from Bissonnette Acres to talk about the Indio Gigante, a massive chicken breed developed in Brazil for meat production and now turning heads in the U.S. for its size, docility, and dinosaur-like appearance. Whitney shares her experience raising these birds, what makes them different from other large fowl like Brahmas or Ayam Cemani, and the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, and selective breeding to avoid leg issues like perna bamba.

We discuss the origin story of this “government chicken,” how to spot a quality Indio Gigante, and ongoing efforts to develop a U.S. breed standard. Whether you’re curious about their blue eggs, their predator-deterring size, or why they need low protein diets and lots of space—this episode delivers all the poultry nerdy details.

🦖 Are these the chickens that prove dinosaurs are still among us? Tune in and decide for yourself.

🔑 Keywords:

Indio Gigante chickens, tallest chicken breed, Brazilian chicken breed, perna bamba, Indio Gigante care, raising giant chickens, Indio Gigante feed, Whitney Bissonnette Acres, Ayam Cemani, poultry breeding, exotic chicken breeds, backyard chicken podcast, meat chickens, SOP for Indio Gigante, poultry leg health, predator-proof chickens

Support the show

Feel Free to email us at - [email protected]

Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerds

Sign up for News at PoultryNerds.com

EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. [email protected]

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!

Discover the charming world of button quail! Jennifer shares her journey raising these tiny birds, tips on brooding, feeding, housing, and how custom nutrition boosted hatch rates. Whether you're breeding or keeping them as indoor pets, this episode covers it all.  In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and Jennifer dive into the care, breeding, and quirks of button quail. Learn how to brood them successfully, avoid feed pitfalls, and why these micro quail are becoming trendy indoor companions. A must-listen for quail lovers and aspiring breeders!

Button quail care

Raising button quail

Brooding button quail chicks

Button quail feed

Best feed for button quail

Button quail breeding tips

Custom quail nutrition

Indoor button quail pets

Tiny quail species

Button quail hatching guide

Button quail housing setup

How to sex button quail

Button quail for reptile shows

Button quail aviary ideas

Quail as indoor pets

Button quail behavior

Quail egg production

High hatch rate button quail

Button quail brooder setup

Game bird nutrition

Support the show

Feel Free to email us at - [email protected]

Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerds

Sign up for News at PoultryNerds.com

EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. [email protected]

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!

In this fascinating episode of Poultry Nerds, Jennifer is joined by Jeanette from The Livestock Conservancy and Deborah from High Ground Farm to shine a spotlight on one of America’s rarest heritage chicken breeds — the Black Java. Thought to be nearly extinct, these beautiful long-backed birds boast rich green iridescent plumage, gentle temperaments, and deep historical roots dating back to the early 1800s.

Deborah shares her firsthand experience raising Java chickens since 1999 and explains why they’re perfect for homesteaders. Jeanette offers expert insight into conservation efforts, census data, and the challenges of keeping this breed alive in the face of industrial agriculture trends.

If you've never heard of the Java chicken — or thought they were extinct — this episode is a must-listen! Discover where to find them, how to raise them, and how YOU can help preserve this incredible piece of poultry history.

📍 Topics include:

• Java chicken origins and unique traits
• Why they’re critically endangered
• Historical role in American agriculture
• The importance of slow-growing, dual-purpose breeds
• Challenges in breeding and show standards
• Conservation efforts and how to get involved

Black Java chicken, Java chicken history, endangered chicken breeds, heritage poultry, homesteading chickens, Livestock Conservancy, slow-growing chicken breed, dual-purpose chicken, Java rooster, poultry breed conservation, homestead farming, APA standard chicken breeds, black feathered chickens, American chicken breeds

🔗 Learn more or join the conservation movement: https://livestockconservancy.org

🎧 Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast platform!

Support the show

Feel Free to email us at - [email protected]

Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerds

Sign up for News at PoultryNerds.com

EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. [email protected]

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!

What role does light play in your flock’s health, behavior, and egg production? In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we dig deep into how seasonal changes in daylight—like the summer solstice—affect your chickens and quail. From lighting tricks to manage molting, to using LED and rope lights for consistent laying, we share expert tips for lighting routines in brooders, barns, and breeder pens.

Join Carey and Jennifer as they discuss the science behind light spectrums (blue vs red), setting the mood for fertility, and preventing light-related stress in poultry. Whether you're raising birds naturally or using artificial light to plan for early chick hatches, this episode gives practical insights backed by real-world experience.

Get answers to questions like:

• When should you add artificial light?
• How long should poultry get light per day?
• Can lighting affect molting or aggression?
• Does red or blue light make a difference in poultry care?

Perfect for backyard flock keepers, gamefowl breeders, and poultry nerds of all kinds.

lighting for chickens, egg production in winter, poultry molting, artificial lighting in poultry, daylight hours and egg laying, LED lights for chickens, quail egg production, chicken laying schedule, poultry lighting systems, molting season, rope lights for birds, best lighting for brooders, red vs blue light poultry, summer solstice chickens, chicken egg laying cycle, gamefowl lighting, poultry barn management

Support the show

Feel Free to email us at - [email protected]

Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerds

Sign up for News at PoultryNerds.com

EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. [email protected]

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!

In this egg-citing episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and Jennifer are joined by Nolie from Mojo Homestead Official to crack open the colorful world of rainbow egg genetics. From breeding true blue egg layers like Ameraucanas to creating Olive Eggers with rich, speckled shells, this episode dives deep into the science, myths, and breeding strategies behind green, pink, mauve, and even “dirty river water” eggs.

Whether you're just starting out or refining a multi-generational olive egger line, you'll learn how pigment layers, homozygous genes, and selective backcrossing play a role in egg color outcomes. Plus, hear real breeder stories, common mistakes to avoid, and how to choose quality stock for your rainbow flock.

 Topics Include:

• Homozygous blue egg genes explained
• F1 Olive Eggers vs. later generations
• Speckles, blooms, and egg "toner"
• Tips for managing Morans, Ameraucanas, and Olive Eggers
• Why breeding olive to olive isn’t as predictable as you think
• Real-world lessons from a Florida storm-surviving breeder

Perfect for beginner and advanced poultry breeders looking to master egg color genetics the right way!

Olive Eggers, rainbow egg chickens, egg color genetics, Ameraucana vs Easter Egger, how to breed Olive Eggers, Morans chickens, green egg layers, pink eggs, poultry genetics, backcrossing Olive Eggers, homestead chickens, Mojo Homestead

Support the show

Feel Free to email us at - [email protected]

Join us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerds

Sign up for News at PoultryNerds.com

EggFoam.com get your egg shippers and live shipping boxes and always get free shipping!

ShowPro feed supplement for all your feathered friends! Grow them bigger and healthier with the best ingredients.

Coturnix Quail hatching eggs from Bryant's Roost, including jumbo celadons!

Quail cartons and Supplies from Double R Farms

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you. And if you have a subject request, email us. [email protected]