Ep268 – Avian Influenza & Biosecurity: What Every Poultry Breeder Must Know
Release Date: 11/24/2025
Ep286 - Unlocking the Secrets of Chicken Breeding with Brian Reeder
Bred to Perfection
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 You often emphasize the...
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Ep285 - The Ugly Truth About Outcrossing: The Double-Edged Sword of Breeding
Bred to Perfection
In this episode, we talk about one of the most polarizing topics for many breeders: outcrossing. Is it a powerful tool to refresh a bloodline, or a fast track to genetic chaos? From hybrid vigor and genetic diversity to the loss of breed identity and the dangers of scatter breeding, we break down the pros and cons of outcrossing in clear, practical terms. Whether you're a seasoned breeder or just getting started, this episode offers a no-nonsense look at what outcrossing really does to your birds, and your breeding program. We explore: Why breeders turn to outcrossing (and when it works) The...
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Ep284 - Misinformation vs. Education - Building Better Bloodlines Through Truth and Accurate Knowledge
Bred to Perfection
Breaking Down the Biggest Breeding Myths Breeders Face and how finding a way to Move Forward In this episode of Bred to Perfection podcast, hosts Kenny Troiano and Frank Bradley sits down with Douglas Bruce for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on breeding, education, and the growing problem of misinformation in the gamefowl community. Together, they explore how they first connected through their shared commitment to accurate inbreeding practices and discuss their journeys as writers, educators, and mentors. From publishing articles and building educational platforms to managing...
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Ep283 - When Good Strains Go Bad: How to Fix Hidden Flaws in Your Bloodline
Bred to Perfection
Unwanted Traits, Recessive Surprises, and the Genetic Tools Every Serious Breeder Must Master Every breeder eventually faces it, that moment when a hidden flaw suddenly appears in a line you’ve spent years refining. Is it a throwback? Bad luck? A hidden recessive? Or a deeper genetic issue waiting to surface? In this episode, we break down why good strains sometimes reveal bad traits, and more importantly, how to correct those problems without losing the heart of your bloodline. You’ll learn how recessive genes operate, why purity creates predictability, and how disciplined selection can...
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Ep282 - Breeding Terms Explained
Bred to Perfection
This episode talks about key glossary terms, scientific principles, and advanced concepts related to breeding, whether you're a novice or a seasoned breeder. This episode also unpacks critical terms, like gene recombination, selective breeding strategies, polygenic traits, and hybrid vigor, helping you expand your breeding knowledge and improve your vocabulary. Perfect for anyone looking to refine their understanding of genetics and inheritance, this podcast offers clear explanations and expert insights to enhance your breeding practices and genetic literacy. Tune in and start mastering the...
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Ep281 - The War on Common Sense Breeding: Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions
Bred to Perfection
In this episode, we confront the growing crisis of misinformation and myth-driven practices in the chicken and gamefowl breeding community. From the misuse of crossbreeding to the rejection of inbreeding, breeders are abandoning common sense in favor of fads, trends, and flawed advice, and it's costing them the health and future of their birds. Breeding is not guesswork—it requires a balanced approach that combines traditional knowledge with modern genetics. While crossbreeding can introduce desirable traits, it must be done with a solid understanding of genetics to avoid unintended defects...
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Ep280 – Bred to Perfection – The Come Back Show & Q&A
Bred to Perfection
Join us for a special live episode of Bred to Perfection this Monday, February 23rd at 6 PM as we return after a six-week break with “The Come Back Show.” We’ve missed you, and we’re ready to talk about what matters most: breeding and developing true strains of chickens and gamefowl. Whether you’re a long-time member of the Breeders Academy or a dedicated follower of the Bred to Perfection Podcast, this episode is packed with valuable insights and exciting updates you won’t want to miss. What to Expect: A warm welcome back and updates, including Kenny’s hip recovery and...
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Ep279 - Starting Over: When Your Strain Isn’t Worth Saving
Bred to Perfection
Have you ever found yourself questioning whether it’s time to walk away from a strain you’ve been working on? Are you not seeing the results you expected? Or perhaps it feels like your progress has stalled, leaving you wondering if it’s all been in vain? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you're not alone. In this episode, we’ll explore why some breeders, despite their hard work and dedication, may need to abandon a strain and start over. We’ll also dive into the key signs that it might be time to introduce new blood and create a fresh foundation for success. Make sure...
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Ep278 - Inside the Mind of a Dedicated Breeder: Passion, Purity & the Path to Perfection
Bred to Perfection
In this roundtable, we go beyond feathers and form to explore the heart and heritage of true breeding. Join us for a powerful and candid conversation with three of the most dedicated minds in the field, Kenny Troiano, Nancy Troiano and Sue Dobson—as they share the personal journeys, philosophies, and hard-won lessons that have shaped their lives as breeders. From humble beginnings sparked by curiosity to decades-long commitments to legacy and bloodline purity, our guests unpack what it really means to build a true strain. We talk about the science behind selection, the dangers of shortcuts...
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Ep277 - The Hidden Enemy - Understanding and Managing Stress in Our Fowl
Bred to Perfection
In this episode of Bred to Perfection, we uncover one of the most underestimated factors affecting your birds’ success: stress. While breeders often focus on bloodlines, conditioning, and nutrition, stress quietly undermines everything, from immune function to feather quality, behavior, and breeding results. Join us as we break down: What stress really means in gamefowl How it weakens your birds from the inside out The top stress triggers hiding in your yard Proven ways to reduce stress and build natural resilience Whether you're raising chicks, or managing a breeding yard, this episode...
info_outlineIn this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo, poultry veterinarian from UC Davis, to unpack the critical connection between biosecurity and the prevention of Avian Influenza (AI) — a highly contagious and potentially devastating disease for all chickens and gamefowl breeders and their bloodlines.
Whether you're a breeder or raiser, understanding how AI spreads and how to block it at the source is essential. We explore the differences between Low Pathogenic (LPAI) and Highly Pathogenic (HPAI) strains, the role of wild birds in transmission, and the economic and animal welfare impacts of outbreaks.
You'll learn:
- How Avian Influenza is transmitted—and how quickly it can spread
- The early warning signs of AI in chickens
- What biosecurity really means and how to implement it effectively
- Why vaccination isn't a universal solution (and when it might be used)
- Key biosecurity practices every breeder should follow—regardless of flock size
- The role of veterinarians in disease surveillance, outbreak response, and long-term prevention
Whether you're an experienced breeder or a first-time chicken keeper, this conversation offers practical advice and up-to-date insight to help you keep your birds — and your farm — safe from disease.
#AvianInfluenza #Biosecurity #PoultryHealth #GamefowlBreeding #ChickenBreeders #HPAI #LPAI #BackyardChickens #PoultryVeterinaryCare #DiseasePrevention #FarmBiosecurity #UCDAvisPoultry
Join us on Bred to Perfection Live, Friday’s at 6pm PST or 9pm EST on YouTube, as we discuss the benefits of creating your own strain.
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