Backyard Chickens & Coturnix Quail: Incubating Hatching Eggs and Chicken Breeding

Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon
  • 4.4 (21)
  • 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, chicken nutrition, 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.  Coturnix Quail are the new chicken and we delve deep into discussing breeding, care, housing and nutriton. 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! Find more at https://www.poultrynerdspodcast.com The IncubationMasterclass.com can further your incubating skills to hatch out the most vigorous, healthy chicks Home of QuailMania.com the virtual event for everything coturnix quail ValleyHatchery.com is a proud partner of the Poultry Nerds Podcast  From backyard flocks to working farms, Valley Hatchery provideshard-working birds for hard-working people. EggFoam.com for shipping supplies of hatching eggs and live birds

  1. Broody Chickens : Care, feed and breaking them

    6d ago

    Broody Chickens : Care, feed and breaking them

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! Broody hens are a natural part of chicken keeping, but they can be confusing and frustrating if you don't understand what's happening. In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon take a deep dive into broodiness—what causes it, how to recognize it, and what poultry keepers should do when a hen decides it's time to hatch chicks. You'll learn about the hormonal changes that drive broody behavior, why some breeds are more likely to go broody than others, and how broodiness affects feed intake, body condition, egg production, and flock management. The discussion also covers practical strategies for managing broody hens, including when to encourage natural incubation, when to intervene, and science-based methods for breaking broodiness when necessary. Whether you're dealing with your first broody hen or managing a flock of dedicated mothers, this episode will help you understand the biology behind the behavior and make informed decisions for your birds. In this episode: • Signs that a hen has gone broody • The role of prolactin and reproductive hormones • Breeds known for strong broodiness • Natural incubation versus artificial incubation • Health considerations during broodiness • How to break a broody hen safely and effectively • Managing broody hens in breeding and production flocks • Common myths and misconceptions about broodiness Join us as we explore one of the most fascinating instincts in poultry and discuss how to work with—or against—nature when a hen decides she wants to become a mother. For more poultry education, visit PoultryNerdsPodcast.com. Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com Support the show Feel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.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

    39 min

  2. Jun 4

    Feed, supplements and Carey's BIG announcement!

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! What should you feed your chickens, quail, and other poultry? Does protein really matter? Are expensive feeds worth the cost? And how much does nutrition impact hatchability, chick quality, and flock performance? In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon tackle listener questions about poultry feed and nutrition. They discuss feed formulations, protein levels, breeder nutrition, common feeding mistakes, and how proper nutrition affects everything from egg production to hatch rates. Whether you're raising a backyard flock, breeding exhibition birds, or trying to improve your hatch results, this episode is packed with practical information to help you make better feeding decisions. Plus, congratulations to Carey and the Show Pro Feed team on the launch of their new storefront! Be sure to visit ShowProFarmSupply.com to learn more about their products and support a growing small business serving poultry keepers. Resources mentioned in this episode: • Download Carey's Poultry Feed Requirements Guide • Learn more at PoultryNerdsPodcast.com • Visit ShowProFarmSupply.com Have a question for a future episode? Submit it through the Poultry Nerds website and it may be featured on an upcoming show. Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com Support the show Feel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.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

    50 min

  3. May 28

    What to feed my chickens, dry incubating/hatching, and more listener questions answered

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! From hobby chickens to homesteading chickens, we all have questions.  In this episode we discuss feeding chickens to dry hatching and more!   Hatching Marans Dry hatching washing hatching eggs Exploding eggs Chick Electrolytes Hatching Upright Listen on your favorite platforms, youtube and on the www.PoultryNerdsPodcast.com  Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com Support the show Feel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.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

    45 min

  4. May 21

    Coffee Eggers, Homesteading & Hatching with Little Willow Homestead

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon sits down with Jessica from Little Willow Homestead to talk about chickens, homesteading, hatching, and building a recognizable brand in the poultry world. The conversation covers the story behind the “Coffee Egger,”  connecting with fellow homesteaders, and the realities of growing a homestead-focused platform while balancing everyday farm life. Whether you’re a backyard chicken keeper, breeder, or simply love the homesteading lifestyle, this episode is full of relatable conversation and practical insight from someone actively building a community around poultry and rural living. Be sure to visit: Bryant’s Roost – https://bryantsroost.com Carey Blackmon - https://CareyBlackmon.com Poultry Nerds Podcast – https://poultrynerdspodcast.com Subscribe for more poultry education, breeder discussions, incubation tips, and homesteading conversations. Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com Support the show Feel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.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

  5. May 14

    Heritage Chicken vs Hybrid Broilers: Flavor, Cost, Health & Reality Explained

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and Jennifer break down the real-world differences between heritage chickens, hybrid broilers, and the Cornish Cross birds used in commercial meat production. If you’ve ever wondered why home-raised chicken tastes different than store-bought chicken — or whether raising your own meat birds is actually worth it — this episode dives deep into the truth most people never hear. From Orpingtons and dual-purpose heritage breeds to fast-growing commercial broilers like the Cobb and Ross lines, this conversation explores flavor, texture, nutrition, growth rates, feed management, processing timelines, bone broth quality, freezer space, bird welfare, and the realities of modern poultry production. Jennifer also shares firsthand experience raising large batches of Cornish Cross birds, including the smell, management challenges, leg problems, feed consumption, mortality issues, and why many homesteaders eventually transition toward slower-growing heritage breeds instead. You’ll also learn why older pasture-raised birds produce darker, richer, more nutrient-dense broth, how exercise and bone development affect flavor and texture, and why many traditional chicken breeds create a completely different eating experience than what most people buy at the grocery store. Whether you raise backyard chickens, homestead, process your own meat birds, or simply want healthier and better-tasting food for your family, this episode offers practical, honest insight without the fluff. Topics Covered:  Heritage chickens vs Cornish Cross  Hybrid broiler chickens explained  Why grocery store chicken tastes different  Raising meat birds at home  Pasture-raised poultry management  Chicken flavor and texture differences  Bone broth from heritage birds  Feed costs and freezer planning  Broiler health and growth problems  Best chickens for self-sufficiency and homesteading Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com Support the show Feel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.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

    46 min

  6. May 7

    Silkies Aren’t “Just Cute”—Here’s What You’re Missing

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! Silkie chickens are one of the most misunderstood breeds in poultry—and most people are getting it wrong. In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we sit down with veterinarian Dr. Nicole to break down what actually matters when it comes to breeding, raising, and selecting high-quality Silkies. From genetics and defects to breed standards and real-world care, this episode cuts through the fluff and gives you practical knowledge you can actually use. We cover everything from the truth behind Silkie traits like black skin and five toes, to common defects like crossbeak, duck toe, and poor crest structure—and how to identify and eliminate them from your breeding program. We also dive into incubation, egg selection, housing challenges, and why Silkies require a completely different level of care than most chickens. No guesswork. No gatekeeping. Just real poultry education. We believe poultry breeders deserve accurate information, proven methods, and real guidance—not opinions, trends, or bad advice from people who aren’t doing it. If you're serious about improving your birds, this episode is for you. Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com Support the show Feel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.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

  7. Apr 30

    How to Start a Poultry Breeding Program: What Every New Breeder Needs to Know

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! How do you actually start a poultry breeding program? Carey and Jennifer break down the realities of building a breeding program from the ground up — from picking the right breed and finding a reputable source, to understanding culls, genetics, and the five-year timeline most beginners don’t expect. In this episode, you’ll learn how to evaluate breed traits, why visiting a poultry show beats scrolling Facebook, the difference between standard-bred, utility, and English-style birds, and how phenotype and genotype actually work. We share the resources that helped us most — including the APA Standard of Perfection, Kenny Troiano’s Breeders Academy, Brian Reeder’s color genetics work, and Sigrid Van Dort’s books — plus practical advice on housing, hatching numbers, mentorship etiquette, and keeping your own records. Whether you raise chickens, turkeys, ducks, quail, or gamefowl, this episode gives you the framework to build a real breeding program without making the costly mistakes most beginners make. Companion blog: poultrynerdspodcast.com/blog Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com Support the show Feel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.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

    53 min

  8. Apr 23

    Splash, Ermine & Modeled: Decoding Americana Color Genetics with Gina Wrather

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! Gina Wrather of Wrather Farms in Columbia, Tennessee returns to break down three of the most visually stunning — and most misunderstood — color varieties in Americana chickens. We dig into the genetics behind Splash, Ermine, and Modeled, explain why a recessive gene can hide for 20 years before showing up in your hatch, and talk about the breeder responsibility that comes with selling birds. If you've ever hatched a surprise chick and wondered where it came from, this episode is for you. Join the Poultry Nerds and Gina Wrather from Wrather Farms as we breakdown backyard and exhibition breeding tactics. Valley Hatchery is a proud sponsor of Poultry Nerds, find more at ValleyHatchery.com Support the show Feel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.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

    51 min
See All (127)

Trailer

4.4
out of 5
21 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, chicken nutrition, 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.  Coturnix Quail are the new chicken and we delve deep into discussing breeding, care, housing and nutriton. 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! Find more at https://www.poultrynerdspodcast.com The IncubationMasterclass.com can further your incubating skills to hatch out the most vigorous, healthy chicks Home of QuailMania.com the virtual event for everything coturnix quail ValleyHatchery.com is a proud partner of the Poultry Nerds Podcast  From backyard flocks to working farms, Valley Hatchery provideshard-working birds for hard-working people. EggFoam.com for shipping supplies of hatching eggs and live birds

Information

You Might Also Like