Poultry Keepers Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this follow-up episode of the Poultry Keepers Podcast, poultry experts Jeff Mattocks and Carey Blackmon dive deep into the details of building and maintaining reliable poultry water systems for every season.

Learn how to design a system that keeps your flock’s water clean, cool, and flowing — even in freezing winter temperatures or summer heat waves. Discover the pros and cons of nipple and cup systems, how to reduce water pressure safely, and practical DIY tricks for heat and freeze protection that actually work.

You’ll also get hands-on insights from real setups:

• How to size pumps and manage water pressure correctly.
• Cup and nipple system pros, cons, and maintenance tips.
• Gravity flow vs. recirculating setups — which is best for your flock?
• Winter freeze protection using heat lamps, pipe heaters, and low-voltage systems.
• How poor water access stops hens from laying — and what to do about it.

Whether you raise backyard layers, breeders, or show birds, this episode is packed with real-world advice from trusted experts who’ve built systems that last.

Listen now: www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com
Subscribe for weekly episodes on flock management, nutrition, and poultry health!

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryWaterSystems #BackyardChickens #HomesteadFarming #ChickenCoopSetup #PoultryHealth #FlockManagement #PoultryTips #ChickenWaterer #DIYChickenCoop #PoultryCare #HeritagePoultry

You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com
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Poultry Keepers Podcast -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837
Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

Welcome to another episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast! In this first part of our two-part deep dive, Carey Blackmon and Jeff Mattocks unpack everything you need to know about poultry water systems—from nipple and cup design to keeping water clean, cool, and algae-free.

Whether you’re raising a few backyard hens or managing a larger breeding flock, clean water is critical for bird health, growth, and egg production. Carey and Jeff share practical solutions for summer heat, winter freeze protection, pH balance, and choosing the right equipment for chicks, layers, and turkeys.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How water quality affects feed intake and production.
• The difference between chick, layer, and turkey nipple drinkers.
• Safe ways to reduce algae and keep systems clean.
• How temperature and light affect water consumption.
• Smart hacks to cool water in summer and prevent freezing in winter.
• Why system design matters for consistent flock health.

This episode is packed with proven tips, real-world experiences, and Jeff Mattocks’ professional insight into water quality and system setup.

🎧 Listen now at  : www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com  Then get ready for Part 2 of Poultry Water Systems next week!

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryBreedersNutrition #ShowProFarmSupply #PoultryWaterSystems #BackyardChickens #PoultryCare #ChickenWatering #HomesteadChickens #PoultryHealth #CleanWaterForChickens #ChickenKeepingTips #WaterQuality #PoultryManagement #FlockCare

You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com
Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers Podcast -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837
Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

In Part 2 of Nature vs Nurture: Hatching Chicks with Hens or Hatchers, we explore the time-tested traditions of broody hens alongside the science of modern incubators.
Discover:

• How to prepare housing and bedding for a broody hen
• Why moving a setting hen rarely works and what to do instead
• The benefits and drawbacks of peat moss, straw, and other bedding options
• Why incubator calibration is critical for success
• The importance of stable temperature and humidity for hatch rates
• What to feed chicks in their first two weeks for the best start

From beginner-friendly advice to advanced insights for serious breeders, this conversation blends personal stories, practical tips, and decades of poultry-keeping wisdom. If you’ve ever wondered whether Mother Nature or modern hatchers give better results, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

To listen to this episode now go to www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com and don’t miss future episodes of the Poultry Keepers Podcast — subscribe for more expert poultry tips!

#PoultryKeepersPodcast #PoultryKeepers360 #PoultryBreedersNutrition #ShowProFarmSupply #BackyardChickens #HatchingChicks #IncubatorTips #BroodyHen #PoultryManagement #ChickCare #PoultryPodcast #HomesteadChickens 

You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com
Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers Podcast -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837
Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

The episode discusses starting a poultry flock with a small group of birds, emphasizing the importance of high-quality birds, strict culling, and continuous learning. We highlight the need for patience, mentorship, and thorough management skills to overcome setbacks and challenges. In addition, we also cover breeding methods, predator protection, and the importance of selecting only the best birds for breeding.

You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com
Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers Podcast -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837
Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

In this podcast episode, Mandelyn, John, and Rip discuss the challenges and considerations involved in breeding and selecting quality birds.  Some of the topics covered include the selection process, market traits, dealing with setbacks, and the importance of sustainability in raising standardbred poultry.

You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com
Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers Podcast -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837
Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

This episode features a discussion between John Gunterman, Rip Stalvey and Mandelyn Royal about her visit to a poultry farm as a mentor. They discuss the farm's flock issues, culling, and potential solutions for improving the quality of the birds, with a focus on meat production for commercial purposes.

You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com
Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers Podcast -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837
Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

The script is a comprehensive discussion from the Poultry Keepers podcast, covering various aspects of poultry evaluation including body conformation, feather quality, color, and breeding. The hosts stress the importance of referring to the written standards and seeking mentorship for specific knowledge, and conclude by seeking feedback for future podcast topics.

You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com
Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers Podcast -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837
Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

In this episode of the Poultry Keepers podcast, John Gunterman, Mandelyn Royal, and Rip Stalvey discuss various aspects of written poultry standards and their interpretation, including tail selection, body capacity, leg structure, feet, and keel alignment. They emphasize standards important for breeding for the optimal traits that contribute to the bird's health, functionality, and meat quality 

You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com
Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers Podcast -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837
Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

Unlock the secrets of poultry selection with us, Mandolyn Royal, John Gunerman, and Rip Stalvey reveal the subtle nuances of bird evaluation that go beyond mere aesthetics. This isn't your typical farm chat; our discussion wades into the intricacies of a bird's natural carriage and its dynamic response to the environment. By understanding the importance of patience and employing tools like video analysis, you too can perfect the art of recognizing the ideal tail posture, an indicator of your bird's health and genetic potential.

Imagine a kitchen where every utensil has its place—this is the kind of efficiency we explore when discussing body capacity in poultry. With Mandolyn and John's expertise, we dissect the 'cinder block' shape, not just for its form but for the function it serves in egg production and the bird's protective instincts. We examine the concept of heart girth and its resemblance to the deep chests of thoroughbred horses, understanding that this trait is not only about physical appearance but also essential for feed efficiency and vitality.

So join us as we combine our love for poultry with a touch of science, sparking a conversation that will resonate with hobbyists and professionals alike, eager to explore the intersection of culinary art and avian science.

You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com
Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers Podcast -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837
Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

Venture back in time with us to a world where standardbred poultry was prized as much for their ability to lay eggs or grace our dinner tables as they were for their feathers. In our latest chat, we lift the veil on the historical tapestry of poultry breed standards, moving beyond the glossy sheen of the exhibition to reveal their profound influence on the breeds we adore today. From the Rhode Island Reds to the industrious Leghorns, we trace the impact of the 1874 American Standard of Perfection and its ripple effect on uniformity and consumer desires, linking it all back to the era of bustling live poultry markets.

We navigate the nuanced dance of breeding to the standards, sharing the wisdom gleaned from years of experience. As we discuss the Rhode Island Reds' early laying prowess and the Leghorns' evolution, we confront the economic choices that shape our feathered friends. We warn of the dangers of "coop blindness" and offer insights into the art of balanced breeding, highlighting strategies that preserve vigor and breed identity. Whether you're a breeder with a passion for heritage or simply curious about the clucking creatures that roam our yards, this episode is an incubator of knowledge, poised to hatch a richer understanding of poultry's past, present, and future.

You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com
Join our Facebook Groups:

Poultry Keepers Podcast -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837
Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125
Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973

Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured