Pips 'n Chicks, Seymour, WI (2025)

12/03/2025

Everything You Should Know About Jumbo Coturnix Quail... Bryant’s Roost post a few days ago sparked a lot of questions and conversations lately about Jumbo Coturnix quail, so I wanted to jump on the train about what “jumbo” actually means, how it is achieved, and what to look for if you are trying to improve or maintain size in your own line.

The term “jumbo” gets thrown around a lot, but not every large bird is a true jumbo, and not every heavy line will stay that way without good selection. Here is what really matters.

1. Jumbos are not made in one generation

A true jumbo line is developed over multiple generations of selecting for size, growth rate, and consistency. Throwing two big birds together one time does not build a jumbo program. The size has to breed true *consistently*. The heritability of growth is about 0.50- 0.60... Your selection makes a big difference but is not the end-all, be-all.
If you hatch a group and only a handful of birds finish large while the rest are average, you are looking at a mixed line, not a true jumbo.

2. Weight matters more than “looking big”

A bird can look tall or fluffy and still weigh very little. Good jumbo breeders use actual weight, not appearance. Mature jumbo hens should consistently finish out at 14 ounces or higher. Cockbirds will be slightly smaller (the opposite of chickens). There should be plenty of meat around the keel and breastbone on any jumbo bird, regardless of how they are feathered.

3. Growth rate is part of the equation

Jumbos should reach processing size quickly, but that's not a given. You should be weighing your birds at 10 weeks, not just when they feather out or start to lay. Size is one of the biggest advantages of true jumbo lines but it is not the *only* thing to think about. Efficiency and speed play just as much of a role as well.
Growth curves tell you far more about your line than a single final weight.

4. Type and structure still matter

A large bird that is narrow, weak-legged, or poorly built is not an improvement. The best jumbo lines have solid bone structure, good width through the body, and strong legs without lesions that can support the weight comfortably. Size without structure becomes a problem quickly.
A heavy bird should still move easily and carry itself well.

5. Start with the best stock you can

If you want to build a jumbo line, start with a breeder like Bryant’s Roost, who weigh their birds consistently across generations. Ask for numbers, not guesses. Ask what their hens and roosters typically finish at. Ask how long it takes them to reach processing size. A good breeder will have those answers and will be willing to answer it.
“Jumbo” should be backed by records, not opinions.

6. Keep your own weights and notes

Whether you are improving a line or maintaining one, record keeping is what separates real progress from accidental results. Weigh birds at four weeks, six weeks, and maturity. Track growth patterns. Compare males and females separately. Keep notes on fertility and hatch rate.

The strongest jumbo lines are built by people who track everything. That's why I built Poultry Pro, and why so many farms use it. Even pencil and paper is better than nothing though. It's not just another marketing term, it has weight and meaning behind the word.

12/01/2025

Monday Motivation!

Progress in your barn or breeding program becomes much easier the moment you get clear about what you are working toward. Most people feel stuck not because they lack effort, but because they are trying to move in three or four directions at once.

Take a few minutes today to choose one priority for the week.
Maybe it is improving a pen setup.
Maybe it is sorting birds or weighing a project animal.
Maybe it is updating records so you can make better decisions in spring.

When you focus on one clear goal, everything else gets simpler. Your animals benefit, your results improve, and your time feels more productive.

If you want help setting a clear weekly goal for your species or project, tell me what you are working with. I am always happy to help you narrow it down.

11/30/2025

What Makes a Bird “Quality” Anyway?

I have been seeing a lot of beautiful birds posted lately, and it reminded me of something that comes up at every swap, barn, and show. People will point at a bird and say it is “nice” or “pretty,” but what actually makes a bird high quality?

There is a difference between a bird that looks good in your yard and a bird that holds up when you really study it. Here are a few things that experienced breeders look at when they judge quality, whether it is a backyard keeper, a show breeder, or a 4H family.

1. Balance
A good bird looks complete. Nothing jumps out as too long, too short, too tall, or too narrow. When a bird is balanced, everything fits together naturally.

2. Strength and structure
Strong legs, straight toes, a solid keel, and a bird that carries itself with confidence tell you a lot about the line behind it. Structure is the foundation of every program, no matter the breed.

3. Feather quality
This is more than color. Good feathers are tight, smooth, consistent, and healthy. Patchy, brittle, or frayed feathers can hint at stress or nutritional issues.

4. Type
Every breed has a look for a reason. Silkies should look like silkies. Coturnix should look like coturnix. Cochins should look like cochins. A bird can be beautiful and still drift away from what makes the breed strong.

5. Condition
Good muscle, good weight, clean legs, bright eyes, and alert behavior tell you that the bird has been cared for properly. Condition reflects management as much as genetics.

Quality is not just one thing. It is the combination of structure, type, condition, and presence. When all of that comes together, you get the kind of bird that makes you pause and look twice.

So now I want to see your birds.
Post a photo below of the one in your flock that you think represents “quality,” whatever that means to you. Backyard birds, show birds, project birds, anything. I would love to see what everyone is raising.

11/27/2025

Thankful for this community.

Every breeder, farmer, backyard keeper, 4H family, and record-obsessed poultry person who has shown up here this year has shaped Pips n Chicks into something I am proud of. The conversations, the questions, the feedback, the shared wins, and even the challenges have created a place where people genuinely want to learn and improve.

Agriculture can feel isolated at times, but this community proves that we do better when we share what we know. Thank you for making this space honest, supportive, and practical.

As a small thank you, the Poultry Pro holiday sale is open for anyone who wants to get set up for spring. Details are in the comments.

What is one thing you are thankful for in this community or in your barn this year?

11/26/2025

I wanted to share a recent review from TNT Cornish because it made my whole week! They tested Poultry Pro and sent over their thoughts, and it reminded me how important good record keeping is for some of the top breeders like them.

If you have tried Poultry Pro, I would really appreciate a review. It helps bring more people into the community and gives me direction for future updates.

If you have never tried the app, here is the link to explore it:
https://poultry-pro-pipsnchicks.replit.app/

What features would you like to see added next? I am always open to shaping Poultry Pro around what real breeders need.

11/26/2025

When you are in your twenties you will surprise yourself. You will walk away from a path that looked predictable and choose the one that puts you in a barn before sunrise and out in the field long after dark. You will learn that agriculture has a way of pulling you in, even when it was not part of your original plan.

That was my turning point. I left a life in a lab that felt comfortable and stepped into a world of livestock, breeding projects, record keeping, and early mornings. It was uncertain at first, but it was the first time my work actually felt right.

If you are in your twenties and the animals are calling you, pay attention to it. The work is hard, but it is honest. It builds you, challenges you, and gives you a kind of purpose you cannot find anywhere else.

This is the path that changed my life, and I am grateful every day that I chose it.

11/25/2025

It's the time of year for me to post my annual winter weather spiel!
Winter hits every flock differently, but one thing is true across every breed and every setup: poultry do *not* need added heat in winter. Heat lamps are one of the top causes of barn and coop fires every year, and most birds handle cold far better than people think. Yes, even quail.

What they cannot handle is moisture, drafts at roost height, or sudden temperature swings. So here is what actually matters when you are winterizing your flock.

1. Skip the heaters
Healthy, fully feathered birds stay warm on their own. Their feathers trap air, their bodies generate plenty of heat, and they huddle together on the roost. A heater creates dependency, increases fire risk, and causes issues when birds go from warm to cold suddenly. Cold hardy breeds are built for this. Even smaller breeds do well when the coop is set up correctly.
If you want your flock safe, do not use heat lamps in the coop.

2. Focus on ventilation, not warmth
Cold air is not the enemy. Damp, stale air is. Birds produce a lot of moisture at night, and that moisture has to go somewhere. If the coop cannot breathe, humidity builds up and frostbite becomes a real risk. The solution is simple: move air out of the top of the coop while blocking direct drafts at bird level.
If the air smells fresh and the bedding stays dry, you are doing it right.

3. Keep bedding dry
Wet bedding pulls heat from your birds faster than cold air ever could. Deep, dry bedding keeps their feet warm, reduces ammonia, and helps regulate moisture. Whether you use deep litter or just add shavings often, the goal is clean and dry.
If your birds come off the roost with damp toes, it is time to refresh.

4. Make sure water does not freeze
Birds need steady access to water even in the cold. Heated waterers are ideal. If you do not use them, you will need to check water more often. Dehydration leads to stress and drops in production.
Frozen water is more dangerous than cold weather.

5. Block wind without sealing the coop
Wind chill is hard on birds, especially on their combs, but air still needs to move. Use panels or plastic to block the prevailing wind around the run or coop while keeping ventilation open higher up.
A sealed coop traps moisture and creates more problems than it solves.

6. Add enrichment to reduce winter boredom
Winter can be long and uneventful for confined birds. Small changes like straw bales, hanging vegetables, or scratch scattered in fresh bedding keep birds active and reduce pecking.
A busy flock is a calmer flock.

7. Have a simple winter plan
Think ahead for storms, sudden temperature drops, frozen doors, and power outages. Your plan does not need to be fancy. It just needs to work quickly when you need it.

8. Take notes on how each bird handles winter
You will learn a lot by paying attention. Some birds stay in great condition all winter. Others drop weight or struggle with the cold. Those observations help you improve your flock and breeding program next year.

All the best,
Bre
Pips 'n Chicks & Poultry Pro

11/25/2025

Holiday Sale!

I have been preparing Poultry Pro for the new season, and today I am launching the biggest discount I have ever offered. For a limited time, all subscriptions are 50 percent off.

Winter is the best time to get your records organized before spring breeding begins. Poultry Pro keeps your breeding notes, hatch rates, photos, health logs, and financial records in one simple place so you can make better decisions next year.

The sale is live now at:
https://poultry-pro-pipsnchicks.replit.app/

This discount is open to new and returning users. If you want help setting up your flock or project, I am happy to walk you through the basics too or help you transfer data over :)

Check the pinned comment below for the discount code.

11/24/2025

Monday Motivation!

Despite what everyone says, you don't need to have everything put together. Every strong flock, herd, or project starts with one simple habit. Showing up. Not perfectly. Not with everything figured out. Just consistently showing up for your animals.

Some days that means getting chores done before the sun is up. Other days it means taking five minutes to write down a weight, a hatch date, or a note about something that caught your eye. Progress in your animals is almost never instant. It is built through generations of work and small decisions that add up.

Whether you are raising poultry, trying to win an award at a show, working on a 4H project, managing a breeding program, or just trying to stay organized this season, give yourself credit for the effort you make today. Every small action is progress that can move you forward.

Despite what everyone says, you don't need to have everything put together. Every strong flock, herd, or project starts with one simple habit. Showing up. Not perfectly. Not with everything figured out. Just consistently showing up for your animals.

11/24/2025

As we head into the holiday shipping rush, I want to make sure everyone has the safest experience possible with live birds and hatching eggs. The postal system is overloaded this time of year, and even the best packed birds or eggs can end up delayed, mishandled, or sitting in a warm or cold building for days.

To protect both buyers and sellers, we will not be approving any auctions that would require shipping before Christmas. This is for peace of mind for everyone involved.

Here is what you can still do in the meantime:

-You are welcome to create an account on https://poultryauction.co/and explore the site.
-You can start building draft listings and get comfortable with the system.
-We will continue to approve local pickup auctions since they do not involve long-distance transport during the holiday rush.
As we head into the holiday shipping rush, I want to make sure everyone has the safest experience possible with live birds and hatching eggs. The postal system is overloaded this time of year, and even the best-packed birds or eggs can end up delayed, mishandled, or sitting in a warm or cold building for days.

These steps keep animals safe, reduce stress for buyers, and help ensure better outcomes for everyone who participates. Thank you for understanding and for helping us keep this community responsible through the busiest time of the year!

If you have questions about timing, shipping, or how to set an end date that works for your schedule, feel free to ask. I am here to help 🥰

Pips 'n Chicks

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