Pips 'n Chicks

Pips 'n Chicks Helping farmers, exhibitors, and 4-H families level up with hands-on projects, breeding knowledge, and simple data tools.

Poultry, livestock, and the science that ties it all together.

Merry Christmas - wishing you a wonderful day on the farm!
12/25/2025

Merry Christmas - wishing you a wonderful day on the farm!

It has been a long minute since I have posted, and I wanted to pop back on here with a real update instead of pretending...
12/24/2025

It has been a long minute since I have posted, and I wanted to pop back on here with a real update instead of pretending nothing happened.

The end of the semester was busy in the best and most exhausting way. Finals, projects, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work all hit at once, and most of my energy went straight into finishing things well instead of posting along the way.

One of the biggest projects I wrapped up was for my Mechatronics class, and it ties directly into chickens. I designed and built an egg sorting and classification system called EggSense. The goal was to create a system that can measure egg characteristics and sort them consistently, the same way large operations do, but scaled down and more accessible. It was one of those projects that took far more time than planned, but it ended up being one of the most rewarding builds I have done so far.

If you want to see the full project breakdown, photos, and explanation, it is up on my website here:
https://www.pipsnchicks.com/egg-sense

At the same time, I have been deep into capstone research, laying out another project that I will be working on over break, and pushing forward on updates for Poultry Pro and the auctions. A lot of what I have been working on lately sits at the intersection of poultry, livestock, engineering, and data, which honestly feels like exactly where I am supposed to be.

I know longer gaps in posting can hurt reach, but I also know this community values real work and real progress. So instead of rushing content, I wanted to come back with something that actually mattered.

Now I want to hear from you.

What kind of content do you want to see more of going forward?
More project breakdowns like EggSense?
More genetics and breeding discussions?
More behind the scenes school and research work?
More Poultry Pro updates or auction features?

Drop a comment and let me know. I am excited to be back in a rhythm and to share what is coming next.

And thank you to everyone who has stuck around while I was heads down building things.

So grateful to have been a part of the team ❤️ once in a lifetime opportunity, I learned so much along the way!
12/04/2025

So grateful to have been a part of the team ❤️ once in a lifetime opportunity, I learned so much along the way!

Everything You Should Know About Jumbo Coturnix Quail... Bryant’s Roost post a few days ago sparked a lot of questions a...
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.

Monday Motivation!Progress in your barn or breeding program becomes much easier the moment you get clear about what you ...
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.

What Makes a Bird “Quality” Anyway?I have been seeing a lot of beautiful birds posted lately, and it reminded me of some...
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.

Thankful for this community.Every breeder, farmer, backyard keeper, 4H family, and record-obsessed poultry person who ha...
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?

I wanted to share a recent review from TNT Cornish because it made my whole week! They tested Poultry Pro and sent over ...
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.

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