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

Jennifer Bryant and Carey Blackmon
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Jan 22, 2026 • 53min

How HP Murray Built a Quail Operation: Imports, Brooder Houses, Automatic Waterers & Quail Math

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 HP Murray of Gopher Ridge Farms for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about raising quail, building efficient farm systems, and how quail math can turn a small hobby into a full-time operation.HP shares his journey from growing up on a farm, stepping away from agriculture, and then returning to it through quail after retirement. From early brooding mistakes to importing German quail lines, this episode is packed with real-world experience you won’t find in a textbook.Topics covered in this episode include:How HP got started raising quail and what he learned the hard wayWhy quail quickly become a 7-day-a-week commitmentImporting quail eggs from Germany and introducing new geneticsBuilding your own quail lines through selection instead of constantly adding “new blood”Designing a brooder house for heat, ventilation, and ammonia controlMoving away from stacked cages to a low-maintenance, one-level cage systemWhy automatic waterers can dramatically reduce daily laborRaising and managing gamebirds like chukars and bobwhitesLessons learned from decades of breeding, hatching, and scaling productionWhether you raise quail for eggs, meat, breeding, or business, this episode offers practical insight from someone who has lived it—mistakes, successes, and all.👉 Subscribe to the Poultry Nerds Podcast for real poultry education, honest conversations, and experience-based learning.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
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Jan 15, 2026 • 29min

What are celadon quail eggs, and why are blue eggs one of the most misunderstood topics in the quail world?

Explore the fascinating world of celadon quail eggs and discover the science behind their blue hues. Understand the celadon gene and how it affects egg color, debunking myths about egg pigmentation and hatching challenges. Learn why true blue lines matter and the issues with selling carriers. The hosts also discuss proper egg selection, record-keeping, and how aging hens influence egg appearance. Tune in for tips to improve hatching success and avoid breeding mistakes, all while gearing up for the Quail Mania event!
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Jan 8, 2026 • 41min

Poultry Pro App Explained: Using Data, Genetics & Technology to Breed Better Birds | Poultry Nerds Podcast

Join Brie, an agricultural engineering student and software developer, as she discusses her innovative Poultry Pro app designed for poultry breeders. She shares how it transforms data management for egg production, health checks, and profitability tracking. Brie highlights the challenges of mobile app development and the importance of data in breeding healthier birds. With features like pedigree management and cost analysis, Poultry Pro empowers all breeders, from hobbyists to professionals, to make informed decisions and streamline operations.
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Jan 1, 2026 • 35min

Quail Mania 2 Is Here! | 2025 Recap, 2026 Preview & Why Quail Just Make Sense

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Happy New Year and welcome to Year 3 of the Poultry Nerds Podcast! 🎉 We just crossed 50,000 downloads, and in this episode we’re celebrating by looking back at 2025, looking ahead to 2026, and breaking down why quail are becoming one of the smartest poultry choices today.We officially announce Quail Mania 2, a free, two-day online quail education event packed with expert speakers, real-world knowledge, giveaways, and incubation insight — from first egg to freezer or business.In this episode, we cover:What we learned from launching the first Quail ManiaWhy quail are easier, faster, and more efficient than chickensReal timelines: incubation, growth, laying, and harvestFeed-to-meat cost comparisons (real numbers)Why quail are perfect for small spaces and urban setupsHow quail fit modern homesteading and food planningWhat to expect from Quail Mania 2 in FebruaryWhether you’re a chicken keeper curious about quail, a homesteader looking for efficient protein, or someone ready to scale quail production up or down — this episode gives you clarity and a plan.🎟️ Quail Mania 2 📅 February 14–15 🎥 Free to attend all weekend 🎁 Giveaways, expert speakers, incubation education 👉 Learn more & register: quailmania.comquail farming, raising quail, quail eggs, quail meat, backyard quail, homesteading podcast, poultry podcast, small scale farming, quail incubation, quail vs chickens, urban homestead, sustainable protein, poultry education, quail business, quail hatchingJoin 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
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Dec 25, 2025 • 5min

Merry Christmas from the Poultry Nerds | Gratitude, Growth & What’s Coming in 2026

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Merry Christmas from the hosts of the Poultry Nerds Podcast! In this special Christmas Day episode, Carrie and Jennifer take a moment to say thank you to the incredible listeners around the world who have supported the show over the past two years.What started as a simple weekly conversation about chickens, quail, turkeys, and poultry life has grown into a global community with over 50,000 downloads, educational courses, live events, and so much more. In this short and heartfelt episode, we reflect on the unexpected growth of the podcast, share some lighthearted farm stories (including winter eggs and confused birds), and give a sneak peek at exciting plans coming in 2026.Whether you raise backyard chickens, gamefowl, quail, turkeys, or simply love learning about poultry, this episode is our way of saying thank you and wishing you and your flock a very Merry Christmas.🎧 Visit poultrynerdspodcast.com to explore episodes, courses, and events — all in one place.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 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
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Dec 18, 2025 • 38min

What Happens To The Rest of The Bird?

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!What really happens to the rest of the bird after processing? In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, Carey and Jennifer dive deep into nose-to-tail poultry utilization—breaking down how quail, chickens, turkeys, and even manure can be used with little to no waste.From feeding pigs and dogs, making dehydrated pet treats, bone broth, schmaltz, bone meal, compost, garden fertilizer, and even crafts and jewelry—this episode pulls back the curtain on sustainable, homestead-style poultry processing. You’ll learn how to turn a single bird into food, supplements, soil improvement, and long-term value instead of waste.Whether you raise quail, chickens, turkeys, or just want to be a more intentional poultry keeper, this episode will completely change how you look at “the rest of the bird.”poultry processing, nose to tail poultry, what to do with chicken carcasses, quail processing tips, turkey processing at home, bone broth from poultry, poultry sustainability, homesteading with poultry, zero waste poultry, chicken bone broth, quail homesteading, using chicken manure, composting poultry waste, poultry pet treats, instant pot bone broth, freeze drying broth, heritage turkey processing, poultry nutrition education, backyard poultry podcastJoin 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
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Dec 11, 2025 • 45min

From backyard breeder to full time business, move your quail and chickens to the Next Level

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Christian from QuailOS joins Jennifer this week in a discussion about tracking chicken and quail expenses.  In the next episode of our Business Episodes, Christian has been making quail a profession for 5 years!  Now he is here to share his latest product that can help you move from backyard chicken keeper to business.  From counting hatching eggs to printing shipping labels, this ap does it all. Find out more at QuailOS.comJoin 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
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Dec 4, 2025 • 39min

Veterinarian Tips on Managing Worms in Chickens, turkeys and quail

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!In this episode of Poultry Nerds, we sit down with Dr. M — our resident poultry vet — to get real about worms in backyard flocks.  From the most common culprits (roundworms, tapeworms, cecal worms) to why a fecal float test matters, Dr. M breaks down:✅ What types of worms chickens typically get — and how common each is. 🔬 How a fecal flotation test works: mixing droppings with solution so worm eggs rise — then viewing under a microscope to spot the parasites. 🎯 Why even free-range birds can have worms — and how worm eggs can linger in soil for years, reinfecting flocks. 🧹 Best practices for prevention: quarantine new birds, rotate pasture, clean or turn over soil — plus when to consider deworming. ⚠️ The risks of heavy worm loads — from reduced egg production to intestinal blockages, poor growth, or even death. If you raise chickens — whether a small flock or a full backyard setup — this is essential listening. 🐣➡️ Timestamps0:00 — Intro & quick background on Dr. M2:15 — Cold weather & worms — do they survive?5:30 — What a fecal float test is & how to get one done10:00 — Common worms: roundworms, tapeworms, cecal worms16:45 — How worms spread & contaminate soil22:00 — Treatment, dewormers, and why you must check withdrawal times26:30 — Prevention: spacing, rotation, biosecurity30:00 — Q&A: eggs, worms, wild birds, and natural remediesDon’t forget: check the show notes for a link to the approved-meds site (FARAD.org) when using dewormers — especially for birds you plan to eat or collect eggs from.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 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
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Nov 27, 2025 • 37min

Progressive Pied Quail, Genetics, and Black Friday Deals

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Join Carey, Jennifer, and guest breeder Aaron Guidroz of Guidroz Family Farm as they dive into the genetics behind the Progressive Pied coturnix quail, how to breed for color and size, tips for brooding success, and upcoming Black Friday farm deals from ShowPro, Brian’s Roost, and Guidroz Family Farm. Perfect for poultry and quail enthusiasts!progressive pied quail, quail genetics, coturnix quail breeding, jumbo quail, quail color mutations, poultry breeding, quail farm Louisiana, quail incubation tips, poultry podcast, show pro farm supply, hatching eggs, quail brooding setup, heat lamp vs brooder plate, Aaron Guidroz, Carey Blackmon, Jennifer Poultry Nerds, Black Friday poultry sale, quail color genetics, quail breeding programJoin 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
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Nov 20, 2025 • 35min

The Truth About Chicken Coops: Best Designs, Winter Prep & Why You NEED Multiple Pens

send us an email and be sure to include your address so we can respond!Welcome back, Poultry Nerds! In this jam-packed episode, Carey and Jennifer dive deep into chicken coop design, comparing fixed coops vs. chicken tractors, winter preparation, predator management, bird density, and how chicken math ALWAYS wins.Whether you’re designing your first backyard coop or upgrading your serious breeding setup, this episode arms you with practical, real-world advice on:Choosing between tractors and stationary coopsWinterizing your birds’ housingKeeping flocks stress-free for better egg production & chick vigorManaging rats, predators, wind, and weatherWhy you ALWAYS end up needing more than one penCoop planning mistakes we’ve learned the hard wayHow livestock, goats, pigs & other animals affect your setupSpacing, bird density, ground maintenance & disease preventionWhy tractors make your grass GREENER (yes, really!)If you want healthier birds, better production, and a coop setup that grows WITH your flock, this is a must-listen.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

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