Bred to Perfection

Bred to Perfection with Kenny Troiano and Nancy Troiano What stands between you and a truly exceptional strain of fowl? Sometimes, it's the defects hiding right in front of you. In Episode 307 of Bred to Perfection , Kenny and Nancy Troiano take an in-depth look at one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of breeding: identifying, understanding, and managing defects. Many breeders fail to r...

Understanding why, when, and how to use the right breeding method. In this episode of Bred to Perfection , Kenny Troiano and Nancy take an in-depth look at the major breeding methods used by serious poultry and gamefowl breeders, and explain why no single method should be relied upon indefinitely. Each method has a specific purpose, and each must be applied at the right stage, for the right length...

What does it take to turn a lifetime of breeding experience into a library of respected reference books? Unlocking fertility, hatchability, immunity, and Making of Great Bloodlines through smart vitamin supplementation. This is not about supplements, it's about providing the proper nutrition for your Brood Fowl and their growing and developing offspring. In this episode, we will talk about one of...

The Essential Factor in Creating and Improving a True Strain How controlling Gene Flow preserves traits, accelerates selective breeding, and reveals the same evolutionary forces that drive Speciation In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful, and often overlooked tools in selective breeding: Isolation. Whether breeders are working with livestock like Chickens, or Gamefowl, controlling w...

What does it take to turn a lifetime of breeding experience into a library of respected reference books? In this episode, we sit down with poultry breeder, author, and publisher Jeff Duguay , the creator of the acclaimed Making It to Champion Row series. While Jeff is widely known for his expertise in exhibition poultry, this conversation goes beyond the birds and into the story behind the books....

Why great breeding starts in the mind, not in the pen. Experience alone doesn't make a master breeder, mindset does. In this episode, we explore how pride, misinformation, and closed-mindedness can destroy more bloodlines than bad feed ever could. Discover what it truly means to be a breeder who learns, listens, and evolves. From understanding genetics and recognizing real experts, to avoiding "ov...

The Critical Role of Gut Health in Poultry Breeding   In this episode, we talk about one of the most powerful yet often overlooked factors in breeding high-performance chickens and gamefowl: gut health. Whether you're focused on conditioning show birds, raising hardy yard breeders, or developing elite strains, this episode uncovers how gut microbiota, probiotics, water quality, and stress manageme...

Beyond Best of the Best - The Science of Breeding Excellence What does it really take to build, improve, and preserve a successful breeding strain? It's much more than simply putting two good birds together, or following the idea of "breeding the best to the best." In this episode, I reveal the 3 Laws of Selective Breeding that transformed the way I approached breeding: Selective Breeding & System...

Summer heat can take a serious toll on breeding flocks, affecting everything from egg production and fertility to the overall health and survival of your birds. In this episode of the Bred to Perfection podcast, host Kenny Troiano sits down with renowned poultry expert Peter Brown, better known as the "Chicken Doctor," to discuss practical, proven strategies for helping chickens thrive during hot...

Why Our Birds Need Extra Attention at this Time of Year When do our birds require the utmost care and consideration? The answer is during the molt. This crucial period is marked by significant stress as birds undergo a complex process of feather renewal, muscle replenishment, and bone repair. Both cocks and hens experience this challenging phase, making it an essential aspect of their overall heal...

For serious gamefowl breeders and poultry keepers, molt isn't just a downtime, it's a genetic checkpoint and a vital phase that shapes your birds' future health, performance, and breeding value. Yet many breeders unknowingly sabotage this crucial period with one common misstep: dropping protein and cutting weight too aggressively. In this episode, we break down: What actually happens during the mo...

For the first time ever, we welcome Anthony "Tony" Saville, a man whose influence on the American Gamefowl world runs deep. You've heard his voice in past episodes, but now you'll experience him in real time as he shares decades of knowledge, insight, and hard-earned wisdom. This isn't just another interview, it's a masterclass. Tony Saville is a renowned authority on Old English and American Game...

Today, we're sharing a prerecorded conversation I had with Brian Reeder about Progressive White, a deleterious trait that is affecting many poultry breeds and varieties, particularly American Games. Unfortunately, many breeders either don't believe Progressive White is a problem or are intentionally breeding to perpetuate the trait within their bloodlines. Even more concerning, there is a movement...

Join Kenny Troiano and his co-hosts, Nancy Troiano and Frank Bradley – as they talk about the Art of Selective Breeding, and what it takes to create a strain. We address issues that affect breeders, just like you. In this episode of "Bred to Perfection Live," we are going to discuss questions that I have asked my followers and members on my Facebook Page to contemplate, and today we are here to an...

What does it really take to build a bloodline that lasts generations? In this episode of Bred to Perfection , Kenny and Nancy Troiano uncover the long-term strategies behind creating a true breeding strain of chickens and gamefowl. If you're tired of unpredictable results and want to establish a flock that breeds uniform, consistent, and reliable offspring, this episode is for you. You'll learn: H...

In this eye-opening episode of Bred to Perfection , hosts Kenny and Nancy Troiano sit down with Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo, veterinary pathologist and avian disease expert, to uncover one of the most dangerous and overlooked threats in poultry breeding: Avian Leukosis Virus (ALV). Whether you're building a high-performance gamefowl strain, preserving heritage bloodlines, or improving your backyard flock...

A discussion that addresses the Challenges, Standards, and Solutions Bred to Perfection: The Progressive White Problem, Standards Debate & Breeding Q&A In this episode, Kenny Troiano and his wife Nancy return and provide updates and announce that Tony Saville will be back on June 12 for a multi-episode discussion tackling some of the most debated topics in the gamefowl world, including inbreeding...

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to be a member of the Breeders Academy? In this special episode of Bred to Perfection , hosts Kenny Troiano and Nancy Troiano , take you behind the scenes for an exclusive tour of the Breeders Academy website and show you why it has become one of the most comprehensive educational resources available for gamefowl, poultry, and animal breeders. Whether y...

How selective breeding, natural immunity, and smart management create healthier, stronger, long-lasting strains. In this episode, we will talk about one of the most important, and often misunderstood, topics in chicken and gamefowl breeding: developing true, natural disease resistance within your bloodlines. We break down why disease resistance is a polygenic trait, how epigenetics and mitochondri...

In this episode, we break down one of the most misunderstood topics in the breeding of chickens and gamefowl: the supposed divide between pure birds, show birds, and performance birds. Spoiler, when breeding is done right, these aren't three different birds. They are the same bird, shaped through balanced selection, structural correctness, health, vigor, and strict adherence to the breed standard....

A Guide for Chicken and Gamefowl Breeders Are you ready to take your breeding program to the next level? In this episode, host Kenny Troiano and co-host Frank Bradley talk about the heart of what makes a true breeder: selection. Based on Kenny's proven, five-stage method, this episode of Bred to Perfection is your blueprint for choosing the right brood fowl, whether you're starting a new strain or...

What separates a flock from a true strain? In this episode, we discuss the uncompromising world of selective breeding. From disease resistance to maternal instinct, we break down the essential traits every serious breeder must define—and defend—to shape a predictable, high-performing bloodline. You'll learn: The key selection points that form the foundation of a lasting strain Why uniformity in ty...

For every serious chicken and gamefowl breeder, the ultimate goal is to build a true strain, a consistent, high-performing, and reliable family of birds that reflects your vision and breeding ideals. But here's the truth: no matter your starting point, you'll never get there without mastering the power of selection . In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most misunderstood, and most essent...

Have you ever wondered how we ended up with chickens that lay 300 eggs a year or grow to market weight in just a few weeks? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the science behind chicken breeds and commercial strains —and it's more than just DNA. Join us as we explore how evolutionary mechanisms like natural selection, artificial selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation shape the ch...

Cutting through feed myths and faulty practices to focus on the genetics, selection, and standards that shape better chickens. Kenny Troiano and his wife Nancy kick things off with a series of audio and setup mishaps that quickly turn into a lively, unscripted Friday night Q&A. Shifting gears, Kenny shares exciting announcements, including upcoming guests, like Mike Sayers of M&M Exhibition Poultr...