Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to become a true breeder? Or, whether you are a true breeder right now? This can be subjective, depending on who you talk to. The truth is, there is a big difference between a true breeder and someone who breeds. Some breeders cross everything or breed haphazardly, some breeders breed to achieve a specific purpose. Not everyone has the perseverance and tenacity to do what it takes to create a perfect strain. Join us as we discuss this topic, and you can decide for yourself.
Ep234 – The Desire to Perfect – Overcoming Obstacles in Pursuit of Perfection
In this episode of the ‘Bred to Perfection’ podcast, hosted by Kenny Troiano, along with his co-hosts Nancy and Frank Bradley. They discuss the art and science of breeding, specifically for those looking to create or improve strains. The conversation ranges from the importance of inbreeding, understanding hybrid and mongrel birds, to the irrelevance of traditional strain names like ‘Hatch’ or ‘Kelso.’ They highlight the significance of a structured breeding program, such as the Founders Program, and the value of striving for perfection in breeding. The hosts also touch on the technicalities of maintaining pure strains, troubleshooting breeding issues, and the benefits of selective breeding. Regular insights from members of the Breeders Academy are featured, emphasizing the program’s effectiveness and the community’s shared goal of constant improvement.
Ep233 – Breeding Excellence: From Quantity to Quality
In this episode, the hosts, Kenny, Nancy, and Frank Bradley, discuss various aspects of breeding, including their personal experiences and humorous anecdotes about their chickens. They shed light on the importance of quality over quantity in breeding, the significance of culling defective or sick birds, and the necessity of a strong desire to improve and perfect strains. They debunk common misconceptions about inbreeding and explain how inbreeding can be a useful tool for improving a strain when done correctly. The episode also covers the misbeliefs around breeding blue chickens and explains the genetics involved. The hosts stress the importance of understanding and properly implementing selective breeding principles to create consistent, predictable, and high-quality strains.
Ep232 – Genetics and Breeding Insights: A New Year’s Q&A Special
In this episode of ‘Bred to Perfection,’ hosted by Kenny Troiano, the focus is on helping serious breeders improve their strains. Kenny discusses various breeding topics, including dominant and recessive genes, particularly focusing on white and splash feather patterns. He shares insights from his extensive recording sessions with expert Brian Reeder, covering a range of topics like epigenetics, disease resistance, and the importance of understanding genetic factors. The episode also addresses practical advice on preparing for cold weather, the need for proper inbreeding techniques, and effective biosecurity measures. Audience questions are answered, touching on topics, such as wing structure, lavenders versus blues in chicken breeding, and the challenges of maintaining true pea comb in gamefowl. The emphasis is on educating breeders to make informed decisions and improve the quality and performance of their flocks.
Ep231 – Breeder or Multiplier: Which One Are You?
This episode, hosted by Kenny Troiano, focuses on improving your breeding practices and the significance of systematic breeding methods. The discussion emphasizes the importance of phenotype, genotype, disease resistance, and environmental factors in breeding. It also critiques outdated breeding myths and methods like crossbreeding, the name game, and the 5/8-3/8 method. Kenny and co-host Frank Bradley share personal insights, experiences, and the necessity of keeping records for successful breeding.