Poultry Nerds Podcast: A conversation about chicken, quail and turkeys with a side of humor

Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon
  • 4.3 (15)
  • PETS & ANIMALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

 Jennifer Bryant of BryantsRoost.com and Carey Blackmon of ShowProFarmSupply.com  are here to discuss backyard chicken keeping.  This show dives deep into flock management, poultry health, hatching eggs, incubating, brooding chicks, predator-proofing, and biosecurity. We cover everything from chicken coop tips to coturnix quail farming, heritage breeds, and even NPIP certification. Each episode is packed with real-world advice, expert interviews, and practical tips for egg production, chicken behavior, and integrating new birds into your flock. With all your favorite breeders, our guests round out the nerd table with the most information. If you're a beginner or a lifelong poultry nerd, this chicken keeping podcast will help you raise healthier birds, hatch with confidence, and grow your homestead. Tune in and nerd out with us! Poultry Pro is designed to improve health, efficiency, and profits while managing your flocks and animals better.  Use coupon code POULTRYNERDALERT! for 15% off any subscription. Chicken Bawks!  THE t-shirt for all chicken tenders and a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds Podcast. Check them out at https://thechickenbawks.com/poultrynerds

  1. 2D AGO

    Chicken Genetics & Care Myths—Vaulted Skulls, Spurs, Combs, Frostbite & More

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! Veterinarian Dr. M joins the Poultry Nerds Podcast to unpack chicken genetics and practical care: what vaulted skulls mean in crested breeds (Silkies, Polish), how to safely trim spurs (and what not to do), the real role of combs and wattles in heat regulation, why Vaseline doesn’t prevent frostbite, and humane tips for beak/nail maintenance. We also bust common myths—like “no wattle = sterile rooster”—and discuss caponization, turkey snoods in commercial flocks, and managing rooster behavior responsibly. Perfect for backyard keepers, show breeders, and gamefowl enthusiasts who want science-based, hands-on guidance. What you’ll learn Vaulted skulls in crested breeds: risks, handling, and preventionSpur trimming: seeing the quick, filing vs. cutting, infection risksCombs & wattles: heat dissipation, frostbite realities, dubbing contextWinter care: ventilation vs. moisture, recognizing frostbite stagesBeak & nail care: scissor beak management, safe filing, feeding tipsMyth-busting: wattles and fertility, rooster aggression managementCaponization cautions and when to consult a vetKeywords: chicken podcast, poultry podcast, vaulted skulls silkies, chicken spur trimming, combs and wattles, chicken frostbite prevention, beak trimming chickens, scissor beak chickens, rooster aggression, caponization, turkey snood, chicken health, backyard chickens, gamefowl care, poultry husbandry Support the show Feel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com 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. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

    37 min

  2. SEP 25

    Inside the Poultry Nerds... From Chickens to Masterclasses!

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! Meet the real people behind the Poultry Nerds Podcast! In this candid, behind-the-scenes episode, Carey and Jennifer interview each other—how Show Pro Farm Supply started, how Bryant’s Roost grew from six dozen quail eggs, what it takes to run a poultry brand and a podcast, and why evidence-based nutrition and incubation matter. We also announce IncubationMasterclass.com—our brand-new, step-by-step Quail Incubation Masterclass (Chicken class next!). Intro price: $17 for lifetime access with printable cheat sheets, one-pagers, and research references. Learn to dial in temps, humidity, egg selection, breeder nutrition (feed tag “gotchas”), and how to get excellent hatch rates—even with a budget incubator. Plus, a first look at Quail Mania 2: more speakers, two days of learning, live chat, giveaways, and year-long access upgrade option. Teasers include Heather Levine, Jerry Landry, Dr. “Moda” (poultry vet), and Brie Pats (data/statistics for breeding + Poultry Pro app)…with many more to be revealed. 🎧 What you’ll learn Our origin stories, roles, and how we run the showPractical incubation fixes: low/high temp & humidity, egg selection, breeder feed effectsHow to improve hatch rates with systems, not luckWhat’s new and bigger at Quail Mania 2 (and how to win prizes)🔗 Resources Incubation Masterclass (intro $17): IncubationMasterclass.comPoultry Nerds site & episodes: PoultryNerdsPodcast.com Support the show Feel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com 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. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

    35 min

  3. SEP 18

    Talking Chicken and Champion Cochins with Craig Hansen

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! Join us on the Poultry Nerds Podcast as we sit down with Craig Hansen, one of the most respected names in the Cochin world. From his start in 4-H projects to breeding award-winning varieties like Silver Laced and Buff Columbians, Craig shares his journey, breeding strategies, and passion for preserving poultry genetics. We dive into show preparation, artificial insemination for fertility, predator challenges, and what it really takes to raise high-quality exhibition chickens. Whether you’re a seasoned breeder or backyard poultry keeper, this episode is packed with insights on chicken breeding, poultry shows, and the dedication behind raising top-quality flocks. Keywords: bantam Cochin chickens, poultry breeding, chicken shows, exhibition poultry, artificial insemination in chickens, poultry genetics, raising bantam chickens, Craig Hansen Support the show Feel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com 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. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

    28 min

  4. SEP 11

    From Poultry Nerd to Certified Judge: Keeping Chickens Safe & Healthy on the Farm

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we celebrate a big milestone—earning an American, Oriental, and Spanish Gamefowl Judging Certificate—and dive into essential farm wisdom every chicken keeper needs. From choosing the right judging regalia (coat, apron, or vest?) to keeping your flock safe from common hazards, we cover it all. Learn about chicken wire vs. hardware cloth, preventing injuries from pigs and cows, why heat lamps are dangerous, and how to protect your poultry from moldy feed, tangled strings, and poorly designed coops. We also discuss roost bar safety, ventilation myths, and the best way to prepare your chickens for a long, healthy life. Whether you’re raising backyard chickens, show birds, or gamefowl, this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and real-life farm stories that will help you avoid mistakes and keep your birds thriving. poultry podcast, chicken care, backyard chickens, gamefowl, American Poultry Association, poultry judging, chicken wire vs hardware cloth, chicken safety, poultry farming tips, flock management, farm life stories Support the show Feel Free to email us at - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com 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. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

    48 min

  5. SEP 4

    Chicken DNA Testing with Knights Poultry and Lab: Sexing, Genetics, and Breeding Insights

    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 testingStep-by-step process for collecting a sample and submitting it for fast resultsWhat DNA tests can reveal (blue egg gene, recessive white, chocolate, lavender, and more)The future of poultry genetics, including fibro and quail egg testingWhether 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 - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com 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. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

    26 min

  6. AUG 28

    Assessing Your Chicken’s Health: Observations, Necropsy, and Breeding Insights

    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 feathersHow to check chickens for mites, lice, and scaly leg mitesThe importance of vigor, temperament, and survivability in breeding selectionSimple tools and methods for performing a home necropsyWhy observing chickens in natural flocks teaches valuable lessonsWhether 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 - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com 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. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

    43 min

  7. AUG 21

    Next Level Nerds with Redmond Hills Farm: Chickens & Quail to profit

    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 - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com 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. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

    44 min

  8. AUG 14

    Choosing the Right Poultry Breeds for Self-Sufficiency: Heritage chicken vs. Cornish, Ducks, Quail & More

    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 eggsDucks as natural mosquito and fly controlQuail for small spaces and urban homesteadsCost, feed conversion, and flavor profilesTips for processing and cooking older birdsThe importance of adapting advice to your land, climate, and lifestyleKeywords 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 - info@poultrynerdspodcast.com 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. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

    38 min
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4.3
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

 Jennifer Bryant of BryantsRoost.com and Carey Blackmon of ShowProFarmSupply.com  are here to discuss backyard chicken keeping.  This show dives deep into flock management, poultry health, hatching eggs, incubating, brooding chicks, predator-proofing, and biosecurity. We cover everything from chicken coop tips to coturnix quail farming, heritage breeds, and even NPIP certification. Each episode is packed with real-world advice, expert interviews, and practical tips for egg production, chicken behavior, and integrating new birds into your flock. With all your favorite breeders, our guests round out the nerd table with the most information. If you're a beginner or a lifelong poultry nerd, this chicken keeping podcast will help you raise healthier birds, hatch with confidence, and grow your homestead. Tune in and nerd out with us! Poultry Pro is designed to improve health, efficiency, and profits while managing your flocks and animals better.  Use coupon code POULTRYNERDALERT! for 15% off any subscription. Chicken Bawks!  THE t-shirt for all chicken tenders and a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds Podcast. Check them out at https://thechickenbawks.com/poultrynerds

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