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

Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon

 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. 1D AGO

    Shipping Hatching Eggs, Buying Better Birds & Incubation Mistakes to Avoid | Poultry Nerds Podcast

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we get into the real-world side of shipping hatching eggs, buying from breeders, hatch rate expectations, incubation mistakes, poultry medications, NPIP misconceptions, and how to find quality hatching eggs. We talk through what actually matters when you’re buying hatching eggs or live birds, what questions to ask a breeder, how nutrition affects fertility and hatchability, why some eggs should never be shipped, and the red flags people ignore when they’re shopping for birds online. We also break down:  how to choose which hatching eggs are worth shipping,  why damaged, torpedo-shaped, oversized, undersized, dirty, or questionable eggs should be culled from hatching orders,  why shipping partially incubated eggs is a bad idea,  how chilling, handling, and stressing embryos can reduce hatch rates,  what buyers should ask breeders about feed, flock management, medications, and shipping methods,  why NPIP is not the same thing as breeder quality,  how poor nutrition and bad breeder practices can affect developing chicks,  why shipping materials matter,  what to know about egg age, embryo age, and improper storage,  and how to find better hatching egg sellers without gambling on social media. This episode is for anyone raising quail, chickens, or other poultry who wants better hatch rates, stronger chicks, and fewer expensive mistakes. If you’ve ever bought hatching eggs online, struggled with incubation, or wondered how to tell a quality breeder from a bad one, this is a conversation you need to hear.  Join Carey of Show Pro Farm Supply and Jennifer of Bryant's Roost as we delve into chickens and quail (mostly)  to help you enjoy your birds more and worry less. Backyard chicken keeping shouldnt be stressfull, let's get back to the simple days 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

    47 min
  2. MAR 26

    Pasture Poultry, Feed Freedom, Duckweed & Natural Flock Health with Blaze of Bad Baxter 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 sit down with Blaze from Bad Baxter Farm in Wynnewood, Oklahoma to talk about raising poultry and livestock in a more natural, practical, and self-sustaining way. Blaze shares how her health journey led her deeper into nutrition, homesteading, growing her own food, and building a farm focused on stronger animals, better management, and less dependence on bagged feed and constant medications. We talk about what it really looks like to raise birds on pasture, why ducks are underrated, how closed flocks can help build stronger birds, and why so many health problems in poultry come back to management, environment, and nutrition. We also get into:  pasture-raised chickens, ducks, quail, rabbits, and turkeys  feed freedom and reducing dependence on commercial feed  duckweed as a low-cost, high-protein livestock supplement  natural flock health and disease prevention  coccidiosis prevention, probiotics, whey, and yogurt  why ducks may outperform chickens on some homesteads  breed choices, breeding goals, and raising what actually works  how strong animals are built through better systems, not just more medication This is a real conversation about learning the hard way, building healthier flocks, and creating a farm system that works in the real world—not just on paper. If you care about poultry nutrition, pasture poultry, natural flock management, homesteading, feed alternatives, and raising healthier birds, this episode is for you. Join Carey of Show Pro Farm Supply and Jennifer of Bryant's Roost as we delve into chickens and quail (mostly)  to help you enjoy your birds more and worry less. Backyard chicken keeping shouldnt be stressfull, let's get back to the simple days 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
  3. MAR 19

    Bresse Chickens Explained | Breeding, Processing, Selection & Why We Prefer Them Over Cornish

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! Today we’re talking all about Bresse chickens and why they’ve become one of our favorite breeds for a self-sustaining flock. In this episode, we cover: Why we prefer Bresse over Cornish in many situationsMeat quality, tenderness, and ideal processing ageHow to select breeder birds for width, body shape, and table qualityEgg size, egg selection, and incubation tipsHow to build a breeding program around your goalsThe difference between breeding for production versus breeding for showWhy Bresse may be one of the best chickens for homesteaders who want both meat and eggsIf you’ve been wondering whether Bresse chickens are worth the hype, or you want a better long-term option for meat production on your farm, this episode is for you. Bresse chickens, Bresse chicken breeding, Bresse meat birds, best meat chicken breed, Cornish vs Bresse, self sufficient chickens, dual purpose chickens, homestead poultry, backyard chickens, poultry breeding, meat bird selection, chicken processing, incubation, hatching eggs, sustainable poultry Join Carey of Show Pro Farm Supply and Jennifer of Bryant's Roost as we delve into chickens and quail (mostly)  to help you enjoy your birds more and worry less. Backyard chicken keeping shouldnt be stressfull, let's get back to the simple days 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

    48 min
  4. MAR 12

    Frozen Quail Feeders Explained | Falconry, Reptiles, Culling & Shipping Tips

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! On this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we sit down with Brent from Zero G Quail Farm to talk all about frozen quail feeders, who buys them, how they are sized, packaged, processed, and shipped, and why they can be a valuable outlet for quail breeders. We also go down some fun rabbit holes, including the history of quail hatched in space, the strange legal gray areas around keeping quail, and the surprising demand from the falconry community, reptile owners, raw feeders, and more. In this episode, we cover: What frozen feeder quail are and why people buy them Falconry birds, reptiles, zoos, rescues, and raw feeding markets How breeders use feeders as an outlet for culls Sizing birds by weight for customers Packaging and freezing tips that make birds look better and store better Cervical dislocation vs. CO2 dispatch Handling breeder birds vs. younger birds Shipping challenges, dry ice, delivery logistics, and customer expectations Using more of the bird for added value Why setting boundaries matters if you want to turn quail into a business If you raise quail, breed coturnix, sell feeders, or want to understand another side of the poultry world, this episode is packed with practical insight and real-world experience. Guest: Brent of Zero G Quail Farm Website: Zero G Quail Farms Community Mentioned: Incubation Masterclass Facebook Group Subscribe for more episodes on: quail farming, poultry breeding, incubation, gamebirds, nutrition, business strategy, and practical poultry management. #PoultryNerdsPodcast #QuailFarming #FrozenFeeders #CoturnixQuail #Falconry #ReptileFeeders #QuailBreeding #BackyardPoultry #Homesteading #PoultryPodcast #RawFeeding #Gamebirds #Incubation #QuailBusiness Join Carey of Show Pro Farm Supply and Jennifer of Bryant's Roost as we delve into chickens and quail (mostly)  to help you enjoy your birds more and worry less. Backyard chicken keeping shouldnt be stressfull, let's get back to the simple days 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

    42 min
  5. MAR 5

    Thinking About Raising Quail? What You MUST Know Before You Start

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! Thinking about raising quail but not sure how to get started? In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we walk through the real decisions every beginner faces when starting with quail. Should you buy hatching eggs, chicks, or adult birds? What equipment do you really need? And what housing systems work best for backyard quail keepers? We also explain the true costs of starting a quail flock, the pros and cons of different setups, and how experienced breeders plan their operations before buying their first birds. Whether you're interested in quail for eggs, meat, breeding, or homesteading, this episode will help you build a clear plan before investing money in birds or equipment. In this episode we discuss • Starting quail with eggs vs chicks vs mature birds • The real cost of incubators, brooders, and equipment • How shipping live birds through USPS actually works • Different housing options: cages, hutches, aviaries, and barns • Why planning your quail goals saves money and frustration • How quail compare to chickens for eggs, meat, and breeding Quail are one of the fastest growing poultry species, reaching maturity in just a few weeks, making them ideal for backyard farmers, breeders, and homesteaders. 🎧 Listen now and learn how to start raising quail the right way. Join Carey of Show Pro Farm Supply and Jennifer of Bryant's Roost as we delve into chickens and quail (mostly)  to help you enjoy your birds more and worry less. Backyard chicken keeping shouldnt be stressfull, let's get back to the simple days 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

    40 min
  6. FEB 27

    The Incredible Edible Egg Hatching | Incubation Science, Air Cells, Shipped Eggs & Hatch Rate Secrets

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! Is the egg just a shell with a chick inside? Not even close. In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we break down the real science behind egg incubation and hatching — and clear up some of the biggest myths spreading through backyard chicken groups. If you're incubating chicken eggs, quail eggs, duck eggs, or shipped hatching eggs this season, this episode will help you improve your hatch rate and produce stronger, healthier chicks. We discuss: How breeder nutrition affects egg quality and chick vigorThe real structure of the egg (yolk, albumen, membranes, air cell, bloom)Why you should NOT wash hatching eggsHydrogen peroxide and egg sanitation mythsVertical incubators vs. horizontal turnersWhy vibration kills embryosBroken air cells from shipped eggs (and how to fix them)Why egg turning during the first third of incubation is criticalHumidity mistakes at lockdown that drown chicksWhy pullet eggs and misshapen eggs shouldn’t be setThe egg isn’t just a container — it’s a complete biological life-support system designed to grow a chick. If you want better hatch rates, fewer weak chicks, and less frustration during hatching season, this episode is for you. Join the conversation inside our Incubation Masterclass Facebook group and hatch smarter this year. Join Carey of Show Pro Farm Supply and Jennifer of Bryant's Roost as we delve into chickens and quail (mostly)  to help you enjoy your birds more and worry less. Backyard chicken keeping shouldnt be stressfull, let's get back to the simple days 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
  7. FEB 19

    Quail Mania 2 Debrief + Rooster Health: Fertility, Layer Feed Myths, Molt & Aggression

    send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond! Quail Mania 2 is officially in the books — and the turnout was huge. In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we debrief the event results, what improved from last year, and what’s already being planned for Quail Mania 3 (including a Kids Corner and the possibility of expanding to three days). Event highlights discussed: 15 speakers, 16 sponsors, and 1,363 participantsOver 4,800 live chat messagesAll-Access Pass availability through May 31 (so you can learn through breeding season)Then we shift into a topic that directly impacts hatch rates and breeder success: rooster (c**k bird) health and fertility. You’ll learn: Layer feed vs all-flock feed: what’s best during breeding seasonThe truth about calcium and roosters (and why it’s usually a long-term management issue)How fat roosters reduce fertility and performanceMolt management and why weight cycling mattersFoot health, roost height, and preventing injuriesSpur management and protecting hensEasy ways to check fertility before setting a full batchWhy aggression shouldn’t be tolerated in a breeding programIf you’re trying to improve fertility, hatchability, and chick quality — this is a must-listen. Sponsors mentioned: Valley Hatchery (coupon code: QuailMania), Hatching Time, ParcelPath Join Carey of Show Pro Farm Supply and Jennifer of Bryant's Roost as we delve into chickens and quail (mostly)  to help you enjoy your birds more and worry less. Backyard chicken keeping shouldnt be stressfull, let's get back to the simple days 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
4.3
out of 5
19 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

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