Valley Hatchery Podcast

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Which chicken breeds might you wish you had chosen once winter arrives? In this episode of Chicken Insights Podcast, Cortney and Connie talk about what really matters when choosing breeds for cold weather and why “cold hardy” should not be the only factor guiding your decision. They discuss important breed-fit signals such as comb type, body size, feather density, win...

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What can you do to help protect your flock from hawks this fall? In this episode of Chicken Insights Podcast, Tina and Courtney talk about fall flock protection and why looking at your coop and run from a predator's perspective can help you identify areas where your birds may be vulnerable. They discuss community-shared ideas for reducing hawk access, including overhead barriers,...

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Are you planning your flock with winter egg production in mind? In this episode of Chicken Insights Podcast, Nikki and Courtney talk about why the timing of your chick order can make a difference if winter eggs are one of your flock goals. They break down how bird age, maturity, seasonal daylight, and breed characteristics all work together when you're planning for production lat...

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What are your chickens trying to tell you through their behavior? In this month's special episode of Chicken Insights Podcast, Tina and Courtney talk about why learning your flock's normal behavior is one of the most useful habits a chicken keeper can develop. They break down the changes worth paying attention to, including posture, vocalization, eating and drinking habits, energ...

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Which chicken coop upgrades are worth it, and which aren't? In this episode of Chicken Insights Podcast, Tina and Nikki break down practical coop improvements that can make daily flock care easier, support a healthier coop environment, and save time on routine maintenance. They also talk about coop accessories that may look useful but are not necessarily must-haves, including dec...

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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...

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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.

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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...