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

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 showFeel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.comJoin us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.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 FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you.  And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

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 showFeel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.comJoin us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.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 FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you.  And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

A lively dive into why Bresse chickens outshine Cornish for table quality and tenderness. They discuss ideal processing ages, finishing diets, and practical skinning versus plucking methods. Breeding and selection tips cover choosing breeders, reading body shape, egg selection for incubation, and balancing show looks with production goals.

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 themFalconry birds, reptiles, zoos, rescues, and raw feeding marketsHow breeders use feeders as an outlet for cullsSizing birds by weight for customersPackaging and freezing tips that make birds look better and store betterCervical dislocation vs. CO2 dispatchHandling breeder birds vs. younger birdsShipping challenges, dry ice, delivery logistics, and customer expectationsUsing more of the bird for added valueWhy setting boundaries matters if you want to turn quail into a businessIf 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 FarmWebsite: Zero G Quail FarmsCommunity Mentioned: Incubation Masterclass Facebook GroupSubscribe 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 #QuailBusinessJoin 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 showFeel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.comJoin us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.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 FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you.  And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

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 breedingQuail 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 showFeel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.comJoin us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.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 FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you.  And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

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 showFeel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.comJoin us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.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 FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you.  And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

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 (cock 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, ParcelPathJoin 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 showFeel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.comJoin us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.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 FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you.  And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!This week on the podcast we talk about some questions we see asked in our new Facebook group, Incubation Masterclass about incubating and general chicken keeping.  We answer general questions and correct some misinformation we have seen discussed.  Get more confident with your chicken skills after this episodeJoin 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 showFeel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.comJoin us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.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 FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you.  And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we break poultry husbandry down into something simple, practical, and proven: the rule of threes.Every bird goes through three critical stages of life — incubation, brooding, and grow-out — and in each stage, there are three things that matter most. Miss them, and problems follow. Get them right, and everything gets easier.We dive into:Egg selection for better hatches (size, shape, shell quality, and why pullet eggs are a hard no)Why constant candling hurts more than it helps — and when checking eggs actually makes senseTurning, tilting, airflow, and avoiding incubator disastersBrooding basics done right: heat, dryness, airflow, and why floors matter more than people thinkHeat lamps vs brooder plates and how different species really behaveGrow-out fundamentals: feeder space, moisture control, and consistent growthWhy we don’t medicate, how natural selection strengthens flocks, and what ethical culling really meansCommon myths, bad habits, and hard truths most breeders won’t say out loudThis episode is equal parts education, experience, and straight talk — no gimmicks, no hype, just what actually works in real barns with real birds.Whether you raise chickens, quail, turkeys, or gamefowl, this episode will help you hatch stronger chicks, brood them cleaner, and grow them out healthier.👉 Like, subscribe, and share — and if this helped even one bird do better, it was worth it.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 showFeel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.comJoin us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.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 FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you.  And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!In this episode, we’re talking about how to scale from hobby quail-keeping to a real business—without getting burned by scammers, chargebacks, or platform fees.Carrie’s back from travel (and we’re recording during an ice storm), so we’re using that momentum to break down the practical business side of quail: how to start selling, how to get paid safely, where to sell online, and how to price correctly when fees stack up. Even if you raise chickens, turkeys, ducks, or other poultry, the same business principles apply.What we cover:The 3 types of poultry people you’ll run into (and why it matters for learning & scaling)Payment processors: PayPal, Venmo, Zelle — what they do and what they don’t protectWhy “Friends & Family” payments are a major red flag for buyersPurchase protection fees (and why sellers must price for them like any other cost of doing business)The buyer/seller trust balance: shipping risk, fair expectations, and chargebacksSelling platforms: Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Shopify, Squarespace (pros, cons, and what fees really cost)Why websites are never “set it and forget it” (and when platform fees might be worth it)The importance of reviews: reading them, leaving honest ones, and building long-term credibilityIf you want more business scaling strategy and quail-specific education, check out Quail Mania (free): quailmania.com.Email us: Carey@PoultryNerdsPodcast.com Jennifer@PoultryNerdsPodcast.com Or: poultrynerds@gmail.com#Quail #QuailFarming #CoturnixQuail #HatchingEggs #PoultryBusiness #SmallFarmBusiness #FarmMarketing #EtsySeller #eBaySeller #Shopify #Squarespace #PayPal #Venmo #Zelle #Hatching #Incubation #Homesteading #BackyardFarming #PoultryNerdsPodcast #QuailManiaJoin 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 showFeel Free to email us at - PoultryNerds@gmail.comJoin us on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/PoultryNerdsSign up for News at PoultryNerds.comEggFoam.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 FarmsPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave a review, we appreciate you.  And if you have a subject request, email us. PoultryNerds@Gmail.com