Valley Hatchery Podcast

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Wondering if the bedding in your chicken coop is actually helping your flock stay healthy? In this episode of Chicken Support Insights, Connie and Matt explain why bedding plays an important role in moisture control, cleanliness, air quality, and overall flock health, and why choosing the right material can make a difference in your coop environment. They also discuss why many po...

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Noticing feathers scattered around your coop and wondering why your hens have suddenly stopped laying? In this episode of Chicken Support Insights, Tina and Courtney explain what happens during a late summer molt, why hens naturally pause egg production while growing new feathers, and how to recognize the difference between a normal seasonal molt and signs that could indicate ill...

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Thinking about ordering chicks at the end of summer and hoping for fresh eggs by fall? In this episode of Chicken Support Insights, Tina and Nikki explain why timing matters, breaking down the journey from hatch day and brooding to breed maturity and seasonal factors that affect when hens begin laying. They also share practical planning tips to help you set realistic expectations...

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If you've been checking the nesting boxes every day and wondering when that first egg will finally arrive, you're not alone. In this episode of Chicken Support Insights, Matt and Connie discuss thephysical and behavioral signs that often appear as pullets get closer to laying, explain what's completely normal during this stage, and share practical advice to help you feel more con...

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Choosing the right chicken breed begins with understanding what you want your flock to achieve. In this special episode of Chicken Support Insights, Cortney and Valley Hatchery Co-Founder Vinnie discuss common breed selection mistakes, break down popular chicken myths, and share practical advice for choosing birds that match your goals, climate, and lifestyle. The conversation wr...

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Predator problems do not always begin with an obvious attack. In this episode of Chicken Support Insights, Tina and Connie discuss the early warning signs that may indicate a predator is checking out your flock or coop. From sudden changes in flock behavior to digging, tracks, damaged fencing, and other physical clues around the coop, this episode focuses on what backyard chicken...

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Summer heat can be tough on backyard flocks, and even experienced chicken keepers can make small mistakes that increase the risk of heat stress. In this episode of Chicken Support Insights, Cortney and Matt discuss some of the most common summer cooling mistakes they hear from backyard chicken keepers and share practical ways to help birds stay comfortable during the hottest days...

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Think you missed your chance to start or expand your flock this year? In this episode of Chicken Insights Podcast, Nikki and Matt discuss why summer can still be an excellent time to order chicks and how late-season planning can set you up for success. They cover common questions about summer shipping, brooder management, breed selection, long-term egg production, and choosing bi...

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In this special episode, Cortney sits down with Connie, one of Valley Hatchery's longest-serving and most requested customer support representatives, to share what years of helping backyard flock owners have taught her. Instead of our usual educational topic, this conversation takes you behind the scenes of customer support and explores the questions, concerns, and memorable mome...

Have a poultry question? Send it for the next episode

Summer heat can quickly become dangerous for backyard flocks if early warning signs are missed. In this episode of the Chicken Insights Podcast, Tina and Nikki discuss how to recognize heat stress, avoid common heat-wave mistakes, and make simple changes that improve airflow, ventilation, shade, and water access. They also share practical tips on coop setup, feeding schedules, an...

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Thinking about adding guinea keets, ducklings, or goslings to your flock? In this episode of Chicken Insights Podcast, Cortney and Matt discuss common misconceptions first-time specialty poultry owners have and what to know before ordering. The conversation covers brooder setup, feeding, water management, space requirements, noise levels, and seasonal availability.

Check out our a...

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Summer flock management is about a lot more than just surviving hot weather. In this episode of Chicken Insights Podcast, Tina and Connie break down how backyard flock owners can prepare their birds, coops, and routines for the realities of summer before the first major heat wave arrives. From recognizing early signs of heat stress to improving ventilation and managing clean wate...

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Choosing chicken breeds is about a lot more than appearance. In this episode of Chicken Insights Podcast, Matt and Nikki break down how backyard flock owners can choose breeds that actually fit their goals, climate, space, and daily lifestyle. From egg layer production and dual-purpose breeds to temperament, free ranging ability, and beginner-friendly flock planning, this episode...

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Most customers do not realize this, but one of the biggest rookie mistakes on shipment day is waiting too long to communicate concerns after opening the box. In this episode of Chicken Insights Support Podcast, Cortney and Tina explain why fast communication during live poultry deliveries can directly affect chick recovery, customer support outcomes, and guarantee protection duri...

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Bringing home mail-order chicks starts long before the box arrives at your door. In this episode of Chicken Insights Support Podcast, Tina and Nikki break down what your brooder setup actually needs before chicks arrive, and why preparation during those first few hours matters so much for long-term flock success.

From brooder temperature and bedding choices to warm water and prope...

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Moving chicks out from the brooder is not dependent on age alone. It is also about recognizing when they’re truly ready. In this episode of Chicken Support Insights, Cortney and Connie break down the key signs that tell you your chicks can safely transition, helping you avoid common mistakes that lead to stress, setbacks, or losses.

Instead of relying on timelines alone, thi...

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Planning egg production starts with understanding your needs, not just choosing popular breeds. In this episode of Chicken Support Insights, Nikki and Matt walk through how to approach egg production with a clear plan, helping you avoid common mistakes that lead to too few eggs or more than you can realistically use.

Instead of guessing or relying on breed reputation alone, this c...

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Bringing home chicks in the spring feels straightforward, but small mistakes in those first few days can quickly lead to bigger problems. In this episode of Chicken Support Insights, Connie and Tina break down five common mistakes that often lead to early chick losses, especially for beginners.

Before your chicks even arrive, have you fully prepared your brooder, temperature, and ...

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Ordering chicks sounds simple, but choosing between straight run, pullets, or assortments can shape your entire flock. In this episode of Chicken Support Insights, Cortney and Matt break down what each option actually means and how it impacts your setup.

To go even deeper, pair this episode with the guide “Straight Run vs Pullets vs Assortment: What Hatchery Buyers Should Kn...