Bred to Perfection

In this episode we address a belief many breeders share, and that is, "it's better to introduce new blood rather than to create their own strain." Listen in as we discuss why adding and infusing new blood is not the answer, and that there is a better way. There are many misconceptions that breeders use to justify this practice, and we address them here. We also talk with one of our members of the...

Today, we are talking with Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo, a Poultry Veterinarian from UC Davis.   In this episode, we will talk about Fowl Pox, what causes the disease, how to prevent infection, and what to do if your birds get infected. This is an episode of Bred to Perfection that you do not want to miss.  

Today, we are talking with Patrick who lives in the UK, but is originally from Ireland.   And, he raises Irish Games. He's also a member of a group of breeders that are working to preserve these birds for the betterment of future breeders. This is a special breed of fowl that has a rich history, which goes back to 500 AD. Patrick belies this breed predates the Vikings, when they came to Ireland. I...

In this episode, we are talking with Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo about the practice and importance of biosecurity.   Most Breeders don't understand biosecurity, and the importance of keeping your bird safe from the exposure of disease. Some of us have strains that we've been keeping for over 30 years. Losing our birds to disease would be a travesty. What we are going to talk about today, if you follow it...

In this episode, we are helping Mike Badger, host of the popular poultry show, called "The Pastured Poultry Talk Podcast," To create a strain that can meet his needs, and the needs of his customers. Does he breed, raise and sell pure fowl, or does he use his pure fowl to create hybrid crosses? Join our conversation as we discuss ways to achieve his goals. There's a lot of good information packed i...

In this episode, we are talking with Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo from UC Davis about their new Gamefowl Wellness Program, which is designed to help backyard breeder, specially, breeders of American Games, to raise and breed heather birds, and to protect their birds from future outbreaks of Newcastle's Disease. There's a lot of good information packed into this episode that I know you will not want to mis...

In this episode, we are talking with a fish breeder. What's interesting here is that he uses the same breeding methods as chicken breeders. He has a wonderful understanding of genetics, and many of his goals are the same as ours. There is a lot all of us can learn from this interview.  

In this episode of Bred to Perfection, we are talking about what constitutes contamination and the effects it can have on your strain and the future of their breed. Whether you are creating a strain, or working to improve an established strain, the introduction of the wrong blood can set you back for years. It could even destroy the strain forever. Join us as we talk about what this means and how...

In this episode, we talk about defects and why they are detrimental to the success and future of our fowl, and why it's important to recognize and cull all fowl expressing defects. The truth is, most breeders are not aware of half the defects that exist. It could be sitting right in front of them, and they would not see it.  

Today we are talking with Dereck, from Kentucky, and a member of the Breeders Academy. He wants to create a strain from the birds he already has on his farm, and is wondering if it's a good idea, and if so, how. In this episode, we start by evaluating the potentiality of his fowl, and walk him through the selection and breeding process. This is a good episode for most listeners and breeders, becau...

Today we are talking with Don Schrider, who was instrumental in bringing back the Buckeye Chicken. A very special breed, that is not only an American Breed, but was created by a woman, Nettie Metcalf, from Ohio, in the early 1900's.  

In this episode, I help Kevin to develop breeding programs for each of his strains. He wants to make sure his is starting on the right foot, and making sure his is doing thing properly at the right time.  

A question I get often from our members is, as a breeder, what books are best, and which books should I get first? In this episode, we are going to share some of our favorite books on chickens and chicken breeding. Although we have thousands of books in our library, there's a handful of books that are considered our go-to-books. These are the books we check out first, and are the most valuable in...

This episode is a recording from 22 years ago, with my mentor, Tony Saville. We talk about natural selection and artificial selection, and its relationship to the breeding of chickens and gamefowl. I know you will find this very informative. This is a recording we did for an article I was writing. Tony Saville was showing me the relationship between artificial selection and natural selection. And,...

This is a very special episode of "Bred to Perfection." We are talking with a young lady, who is not only 10 years old, but she has her own podcast. Best of all, she talks about chickens! If you are a chicken raiser, or a beginner thinking about getting chickens for the first time, this podcast is for you. Jessa is a joy to listen to, and the information she provides is accurate and useful. Jessa...

In this episode, Kenny Troiano and his wife, Nancy are talking about why the "Age" of your brood fowl is so important the viability of your strain. And, why you should always make sure to breed to youth. If you are in favor of breeding your stags with your pullets, or breeding your old cock with your old hens, this show is for you. To listen to the show and sign up to our Free Breeders Bulletins,...

In this episode, we are talking with Frank Bradley, a breeder of American Games, who lives in Kentucky. We discuss topics related to breeding, culling and selection. We also talk about the Breeders Academy, and what the website has to offer breeders like you. If you are interested in someday joining the Academy, this is a good episode to listen to. Also, make sure to check out the show notes for a...

In this episode, we are talking with Master Breeder and Author, Don Schrider, and Master Breeder and ABA Judge, Danny Feathers. Together, we answer many questions and discuss topics related to breeding, culling and selection, which were provided to us by our members and Facebook friends. Join us for lots of fun and laughs. Also, make sure to check out the show notes for a complete list of question...

I've taught the art of selective breeding to many types of breeders, but the breeders I find extremely fascination are the small-scale commercial breeders. They are faced with a monumental problem, how to create a strain that can meet their production needs at a lower cost, do well in their particular environment, and have a high degree of constitutional vigor and good health. To make matters even...

Next to selection and knowing your strain really well, the progeny test may be the best tool we breeders have to determine the true value and worth of our brood fowl. In this episode, we will talk about why the progeny test is so important. And, why we believe this method is essential to creating and improving your strain. To listen to the show and sign up to our Free Breeders Bulletins, click thi...

This is a special episode. What better way to celebrate our 50th episode than to have my mentor on the show. Tony Saville has not only changed the way I thought about breeding, but changed the way I bred my fowl. This is a show you don't want to miss. He's had the greatest influence on me, my thinking about breeding, and the way I select my brood fowl. I'm always talking about him on the show, and...

How to downsize and maintain a viable strain. The question is - how to reduce the number of brood fowl, and still maintain a viable flock? How to breed, raise, and produce just enough offspring to keep the family going, well into the future? Reducing the size of your flock can have many benefits , but can be problematic as well. For example, if you do this properly, you can actually improve the qu...

I'm so happy to have Danny Feathers on the show with us. He's a Master Breeder from Northern Oklahoma and a judge for the American Bantam Association. He not only raises chickens and gamefowl, but breeds and raises Racing Pigeons, and is very successful. "Danny is the real deal." Everyone I talked to, agrees that Danny is one of the few breeders able to breed and raise a large number of breeds, an...

In this episode of Bred to Perfect, we will learn the value, importance and practice of selecting for the whole package. To be successful every breeder you must perpetuate strains that are good representatives of their breed, variety and strain. Join Kenny Troiano and his wife Nancy as they discuss this very important topic.  Make sure to sign up for our Newsletters (The Breeders Bulletins) at  ht...

Join Kenny Troiano and his wife Nancy as they chat with one of their members of the Breeders Academy. Luis Mendez is a breeder from El Paso Texas who is in the process of creating a strain. Make sure to sign up for our Newsletters (The Breeders Bulletins) at  https://www.breedersacademy.com/free_bonus/ Also, click this link to get the show notes, learn more, and to get the special links.  https://...