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 Poultry Podcast and the President of the American Bantam Association, and a special live appearance from his longtime mentor Tony Saville, who will join to debate hot topics, like breed standards, inbreeding, and controversial traits, such as white in wings and tails. Additional guests on the horizon include, Douglas Bruce, Jeff Duguay, and Jane Cowan of The Chuck Journal Podcast. Kenny also reveals he's now writing for the new magazine "Gamefowl Times."

In the Q&A, Kenny tackles some of the most misunderstood topics in gamefowl and poultry breeding. He emphasizes that while proper nutrition supports overall health, it does not change a bird's genetics, pushing back on the overuse of supplements and most layer feeds, and recommending practical feeding strategies like Nutrena All Flock, while using bird condition as the ultimate guide.

The discussion goes into genetics, including sex-linked traits, inheritance of leg color, and how to correct traits through selective breeding. Kenny explains factors influencing broodiness, from genetics to environmental stress, and why it should be bred intentionally rather than managed reactively.

He also addresses complex color genetics, warning about the risks associated with dominant, recessive, and progressive white, particularly their potential link to weakened birds and reduced reproductive performance. The episode closes with an insightful look at the challenges of preserving true Silver Duckwing coloration, and why proper hen selection is critical to maintaining strain integrity.

Packed with candid moments, strong opinions, and practical advice, this episode blends humor, hard-earned experience, and deep genetic insight, setting the stage for an upcoming live debate you won't want to miss.

#PoultryGenetics #SelectiveBreeding #Gamefowl #ChickenBreeding #BreedStandards #BackyardPoultry #PoultryPodcast #FlockManagement #ChickenHealth #BreedingStrategies #AvianGenetics #PoultryWisdom

Make sure to follow and watch our future shows. We plan to dive deep into the world of breeding and genetics, nutrition and health management, and provide essential tips, so you too can create high quality strains. Whether you're breeding domestic chickens, gamefowl, or various types of livestock, this show is for you.

Watch Bred to Perfection Live - Mondays and Fridays at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST on YouTube - Join Kenny Troiano and guests as they explore advanced breeding techniques, poultry nutrition, health management, and genetic sustainability—all with one goal: helping you create high-quality, long-lasting strains.

See ya there!

Kenny Troiano

Founder of "The Breeders Academy"

We specialize in breeding, and breeding related topics. This includes proper selection practices and the use of proven breeding programs. It is our mission to provide our followers and members a greater understanding of poultry breeding, poultry genetics, poultry health care and disease prevention, and how to improve the production and performance ability of your fowl.

If you are interested in creating a strain, or improving your established strain, you are in the right place.

We also want to encourage you to join us at the Breeders Academy, where we will not only help you increase your knowledge of breeding and advance your skills as a breeder, but improve the quality and performance of your fowl.

If you would like to learn more, go to: https://www.breedersacademy.com

In this episode, we talk about one of the most misunderstood—but absolutely essential elements of successful breeding: SELECTION. While health, structure, and well-planned breeding programs are important, without strategic selection, long-term success is impossible.

We explore why selection is the driving force behind strain improvement, how it supports the development of new lines, and why so many breeders fall short by misapplying, or completely misunderstanding this critical process.

You'll learn:

• Why selection is more than just choosing the best-looking bird
• The difference between monogenic and polygenic traits, and why it matters
• How phenotype, genotype, epigenetics, and mitochondrial DNA all play a role in genetic progress
• Why culling is just as important as selecting

We break down the Six Key Factors of Selection every breeder must master and offer practical quiz-style prompts to test your knowledge along the way.

Whether you're a novice or experienced breeder, this episode will sharpen your understanding of the selection process and help you build a stronger, more consistent strain. It's not optional, it's foundational.

Tune in and transform your breeding strategy through the power of selection.

#BreedingSuccess #SelectiveBreeding #GeneticSelection #StrainImprovement #BreedingStrategy #PhenotypeVsGenotype #Epigenetics #PolygenicTraits #MonogenicTraits #SmartBreeding #CullingMatters #BreederEducation

Make sure to follow and watch our future shows. We plan to dive deep into the world of breeding and genetics, nutrition and health management, and provide essential tips, so you too can create high quality strains. Whether you're breeding domestic chickens, gamefowl, or various types of livestock, this show is for you.

Watch Bred to Perfection Live - Mondays and Fridays at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST on YouTube - Join Kenny Troiano and guests as they explore advanced breeding techniques, poultry nutrition, health management, and genetic sustainability—all with one goal: helping you create high-quality, long-lasting strains.

See ya there!

Kenny Troiano

Founder of "The Breeders Academy"

We specialize in breeding, and breeding related topics. This includes proper selection practices and the use of proven breeding programs. It is our mission to provide our followers and members a greater understanding of poultry breeding, poultry genetics, poultry health care and disease prevention, and how to improve the production and performance ability of your fowl.

If you are interested in creating a strain, or improving your established strain, you are in the right place.

We also want to encourage you to join us at the Breeders Academy, where we will not only help you increase your knowledge of breeding and advance your skills as a breeder, but improve the quality and performance of your fowl.

If you would like to learn more, go to: https://www.breedersacademy.com

Inbreeding, Genetics & Feeding for the Future

In the world of poultry breeding, few names stir thoughtful conversation quite like Brian Reeder. Known for his deep understanding of avian genetics and dedication to the craft of creating true strains, Brian recently hosted a live session diving deep into some of the most misunderstood, and often controversial, aspects of chicken breeding. From polygenic traits and disease resistance to feeding practices rooted in history, the discussion offered a masterclass in breeding with purpose.

Genetics & Breeding Philosophy

1. You often emphasize the importance of inbreeding in creating a true strain. For those wary of it, how do you define the difference between smart inbreeding and harmful inbreeding?
2. When starting a new strain, what timeline or number of generations do you typically expect before you start seeing true consistency?
3. Can you walk us through what "locking in genes" really means in a practical, observable way?
4. What common mistakes do people make when they attempt to outcross, and how can they avoid "blowing up" their strain?

Tune in to learn how to create and improve your strain for future generations!

#PoultryBreeding #ChickenGenetics #InbreedingDoneRight #AvianGenetics #SelectiveBreeding #TrueStrain #BackyardBreeders #LivestockGenetics #SustainableBreeding #BreedingForTheFuture #HeritagePoultry #GeneticSelection

Make sure to follow and watch our future shows. We plan to dive deep into the world of breeding and genetics, nutrition and health management, and provide essential tips, so you too can create high quality strains. Whether you're breeding domestic chickens, gamefowl, or various types of livestock, this show is for you.

Watch Bred to Perfection Live

Mondays and Fridays at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST on YouTube
Join Kenny Troiano and guests as they explore advanced breeding techniques, poultry nutrition, health management, and genetic sustainability—all with one goal: helping you create high-quality, long-lasting strains.

See ya there!

Kenny Troiano

Founder of "The Breeders Academy"

We specialize in breeding, and breeding related topics. This includes proper selection practices and the use of proven breeding programs. It is our mission to provide our followers and members a greater understanding of poultry breeding, poultry genetics, poultry health care and disease prevention, and how to improve the production and performance ability of your fowl.

If you are interested in creating a strain, or improving your established strain, you are in the right place.

We also want to encourage you to join us at the Breeders Academy, where we will not only help you increase your knowledge of breeding and advance your skills as a breeder, but improve the quality and performance of your fowl.

If you would like to learn more, go to: https://www.breedersacademy.com