Eggcellent Adventures with Reec Swiney (Reec Swiney, Maurice Swiney)

Dr. Patrick Biggs (Purina poultry nutritionist) is sharing his thoughts on heat inside of chicken coops.  We all want our chickens to be safe, warm and happy in the winter and so does the Doc. Check out what he thinks about artificial heat in the coop as the weather cools down.
Listen Notes

The blue grass state called and Eggcellent Adventures answered! Meet Jen of Black Sheep Farmstead and Event Venue in Kentucky. This former city girl has made her way to some acreage and over 150 animals! She and her partner are living out their dream in a self restored farm that doubles as an event venue space for weddings, pop up shops and farm classes! Jen let us In on so many valuable homesteading lessons. This is a much listen episode of Eggcellent Adventures with Reec Swiney.

EGGCELLENT ADVENTURES Ep. 21 SHISHANA ROURKE - EXOTIC RESCUE, WATER BUFFALO WHISPERER. 
Shishana has been making huge waves on social media with half a million followers on Facebook. People are intrigued with her exotic animal and horse rescue, especially with the "Bog Guy" Hank, the Water Buffalo! Horses, water buffalo, zebra, zonkey and more! This episode got way deeper than chicken keeping and care. Her story is unique, a West Indian who was adopted to Alaska who now resides on a rescue ranch in Texas with her family. Check out The Adventures of Shishana Rourke as she visits with Reec on Eggcellent Adventures!

Meet the Upendos on this episode of Eggcellent Adventures. Not only have they created an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle, through their tree house Air BNB, they also give others the off grid experience. This family has made the switch from the 9 to 5 suburban life, and built a self sufficient homestead on some acreage they purchased during the pandemic. Now they have a full fledged farm, poultry and even a small heard of alpaca. Listen to their unique story and se how they transitioned to their new lifestyle!

MORE DETAILS AT WWW.BLACKYARDCHICKENZ.COM
@BLACKYARDCHICKENZ

This urban farmer hailing from Virginia has found peace and new beginnings through her journey into the world of farming. Shai shares her story of surviving abuse and how getting back to the basics has been healing and helpful for PTSD. She's gone from city girl, to a full fledged farmer who's entire family is getting in the dirt and may be making a huge move soon! 

a conversation with Lisa Steele, author of Fresh Eggs Daily, TV host of Welcome To My Farm

On this episode of Eggcellent Adventures with Reec, we are joined with Lisa Steele of Fresh Eggs Daily. She has an enormous social media following that peaks into the millions. Her followers and fans are following her vast knowledge of chicken wellness supplies, recipes , flock hacks and more. 

Lisa is also the host of a nationally televised show named Welcome To My Farm and author of the best selling cook book “Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook”.

Lisa gives so many farm hacks including how to keep snakes away! Tune in for another EGGcellent Adventure with Reec Swiney @BlackYardChickenz

Here's a mini episode or EGGCELLENT NUGGET! Dr. Patrick Biggs, PH.D. (Purina Poultry Nutrition) answers Reec's question about Grit. Is grit (tiny bits of gravel) necessary in a chickens diet??? Some say that because a chicken lacks teeth, they need to swallow grit in order to break down food in the digestive track. Did Dr. Biggs Agree?

Reec satellites into Minnesota to talk with Taylor (@ChakraChickens) host of the Un-Cooped Podcast and homesteader / egg farmer. Taylor sheds light on his collection of breath taking chickens, peacocks, Guineafowl, goats, horses and even snakes! 

He and his wife share a variety of critters. Taylor is also very knowledgeable on hatching. We get some pro tips on hatching, raising peacocks, advice on types of chickens for your personality and how chicken math turned 10 baby chicks into over 80 birds!

Welcome to season 3 of Eggcellent Adventures! We kicked off this season by dispelling rumors about "game cocks", diving deep into the world of conservation, show chicken care, harsh winter preop techniques and advanced poultry nutrition. We did it all with an award winner, Jessica of Game Fowl Conservation. 

Danielle, Founder and Owner of Chicken Daddies Calendar has turned a spoof social media experiment into a full fledge business that has taken her around the globe! Listen to the story of the photographer / chicken mamma, who is traveling the globe to create a series of playful novelty calendars featuring men with their chickens! She also utilizes a portion of the pprceeds to charity. Check out this amazing story of a pandemic pivot! 

Niya Brown Mathews, Twin Oaks Farms, joins Reec and shares her journey of moving from the city to a homestead that now houses three coops, four large gardens and more. 

Niya, a life coach, entrepreneur, NFL wife & mom, is inspiring hundreds of thousands of people with her social media post "Live From The Garden" and teaching the masses to grow their own with a series of seminars and classes that they teach on their property. 

Toon in as she and Reec enlighten each other, share trade secrets and more!

Amanda of Peony Puff Silkies is a chicken breeder specializing in "Silkies". The breed stole her heart and now she has hundreds of birds in her award winning breeding program. Take a listen as she gives insight on breeding, genetics, shipping, marketing strategies and more! Her energy was as amazing as the interview itself. Here's another Eggcellent Adventure! 

What happens when you mix a house of cats, dozens of chickens and a super cool homesteading plant momma.... a very popular social media presence for one! Cats and Clucker's front woman, Sarah, joins Reec to talk about her journey into cat woman turned chicken tender. They chop it up about gardening and how a change in scenery led her to a life changing decision that has created a natural stress relieving journey.  

We invited Blackyard Chicken'z Super fan, Brandon Braam, to joins us all the way from B.C. Canada to talk about his journey into the world of backyard chickens!  He gave us insight on how it is to raise chickens in Canada, the mental health benefits and how it's brought his family closer. 

this weeks episode features an interview with Heath, owner of City Chick. City chick was once a chicken coop & chicken rental company for urban residents with chicken dreams, that weren't 100% ready to commit to the backyard farmer lifestyle. Now his company has grwon into a chicken nutrition and educational company with an amazing social media following. Reec and Heath share stories, knowledge and hilarious chicken drama! 

Heath, owner of City Chick. City chick was once a chicken coop & chicken rental company for urban residents with chicken dreams, that weren't 100% ready to commit to the backyard farmer lifestyle. Now his company has grown into a chicken nutrition and educational company with an amazing social media following. Reec and Heath share stories, knowledge and hilarious chicken drama!

Whitney started to "grow a couple of things" in an attempt to start eating healthier...Fast forward few months, this Urban farmer has landed her family on some acreage, started a full fledge vegetable, herb garden, is raising rabbits, goats, chickens and has her sights set on transforming everyone she touches into self sufficient growers too! 

This Episode we hit North Philly to interview the face behind the Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy. 

We dive into the culture of urban cowboys and girls, talk horse care, good stable practices and she also walks us through a day in the life of a Concrete Cowgirl 

We find out if chicken math crosses over to horses and how she started beating professional riders at the age of 8.

Erin Brown even gave Reec a crash course on how to take care of his two new ponies, and tips for a first time horse owner.

We went all the way to China for this episode, well we went via satellite, lol. Cooh grubs marketing and social manager Carter Jin joined the conversation with Reec. They  discussed Cooh Grubs amazing mission to lower food waste and develop sustainable nutrition and snack products for chickens and even humans through black soldier fly larvae. They have  a 9 acre facility that is developing ways to cut waste world wide and supply delicious chicken treats in the process. They're based in China but have connected to many influencers and back yard farmers in USa via social media. Reec and Carter talk about their history, business approach and effective social strategies. 

www.BlackYardChickenz.com
FB: <www.Facebook.com/BlackYardChickenz>
IG: <www.Instagram.com/BlackYardChickenz>
TT: <www.TikTok.com/@BlackYardChickenz>

Episode Mel - WilmaTheWonderHen

This time Reec checks in with Tennesee to chat with a social media star and podcast host Mel who runs the popular page Wilma The Wonder Hen. Mel and her family reside on a 7 acre farm that homes over 100 birds, horses, goats and soon Jersey Cows!

Some hot topics Mel and Reec discussed are bio security, health benefits, chicken math and raising geese. Imprinting is real and there are several ways to do it. Social media mis-information can be a big issue and they discussed that too. 

www.BlackYardChickenz.com for more info

EP. 18 MY PET CHICKEN - FOREST CLINTON
MY PET CHICKEN IS ONE OF THE TOP U.S. HATCHERIES. They pride themselves on having exemplary costumer service and grade A products (no pun intended). From staple chicken breeds, to exotic water fowl, they have it all when it comes to pet poultry! With a recent shift in leadership, this house hold brand to the chicken keeper community is quickly becoming a go to for poultry housing, health and care products. Take a listen to Reec and Forest Clinton of MyPetChicken.com talk about it all, including her own personal chicken adventures. 

My pet chicken website:
https://www.mypetchicken.com/

This Eggcellent Adventure took us on an adventure Down Under! We spoke with Des of Gold Coast, Queensland Australia By way of South Africa. She gave us her backstory into the chicken life. Moving from the city to a 12 acre homestead that’s still a stones throw from the city. Des is a dedicated mom and wife who also works full time and cares for her chickens & Australian cattle dogs. If you’ve ever wondered what its like to live in Australia and raise some chickens, this is the episode for you! 

The founder of Premo Guard, an all natural, poultry safe, pest repellent joined us for this adventure! He also brought along a super star in the chicken social media community. Sean (Premo Guard) & Tracey (Tracy’s Hen House) came on to talk about some pest solutions for your coop and more! We talk about getting rid of mites, lice, ticks, mosquitos, flies and even rodents! All in a natural way that will NOT harm our feather or fur friends on your farm, homestead or backyard hobby. To win a bottle for yourself follow us at Instagram.com/Blackyardhcickenz

More about PremoGuard:
https://premoguard.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9cCyBhBzEiwAJTUWNYg-U9Z3liQWc0GlVt2Zzkr8-L5mxSopZxUIoSZ8bQWZaXgVNdfkohoCmTIQAvD_BwE

Second Hen'd is Here to educate others about the benefits of adopting "spent" hens and promote compassion. Take a listen to Erica as she talks about her chicken rescue program, journery into the chicken world and evrything in between! 

Natural Born Tillers is an Edible Landscaping Company in Atlanta, GA. The founder, Corey, shared is dynamic story of how he hiked from Maine to Georgia, worked on several farms and agricultural opportunities and is currently beautifying corporate spaces with edible gardens and educating along the way.

From an in house cannabis project to chickens, goats and a garden! Mink of @CribStead_ig is really shedding some light on growing in the desert, expanding knowledge through books and more. Check out this episode of Eggcellent Adventures as Reec and Mink talk about his move from renting to transitioning to a full blown homestead in Nevada!

Dr. Laura Catena is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, a Pet Age 2021 Women of Influence Award Recipient, and an Ambassador for Animal Health & Wellness. She is also the Founder & President of The Armor Hand Glove. A tool that has revolutionized safety for animal handlers, doctors and care takers! Check out how her horrifying experince tuned into an idea that has changed lives for the better. 

Reec gets the chance to speak with Marryann Zimmerman of Mulberry Farms located in Wisconsin. She has a wide variety of farm animals including chickens, ducks, turkey, pigs and is preparing for goats. She has found a way to fund all of her kids show animals through the sale of berries that they grow on their 9 acre estate. In addition to being a wife, mom, homesteader, business woman and social media star, she is also an elected official for the school board. She is a heavy supporter of agricultural education in schools. Listen to her journey from the city to 9 acres and what's next for Mulberry Farms! 

Reec calls Asia Pretley of Yellow Door Urban Homestead, the Queen of Small Space Gardening! She is killing it in the virginai area! Asia has an amazing story of getting back to the basics and starting a garden with her daughter that sprouts a variety of plants from cabbage and spices to loofas! In addition to the garden she also has chickens and even quail for consumption. 

Reec calls Asia Pratley of Yellow Door Urban Homestead, the Queen of Small Space Gardening! She is killing it in the Virginia area! Asia has an amazing story of getting back to the basics and starting a garden with her daughter that sprouts a variety of plants from cabbage and spices to loofas! In addition to the garden she also has chickens and even quail for consumption. 

 EGGCELLENT ADVENTURES - Ep.6 Dre Taylor - Nile Valley(NVA) Aquaponics & KC Urban Farm Co-Op

This week we step out of the coop and into the pond! We talk about aquaponics and water farming with an expert Dre Taylor as he comes in via satellite all the way from Ghana (Africa). 

This Kansas City native once facilitated and founded one of the largest aquaponic community farms & Urban Farm Co-Ops in America! He was able to help many others start community gardens and farms in cities and food deserts. 

Take a listen to Dre's convo with Reec on the Eggcellent Adventures Podcast. 

www.BlackYardChickenz.com for more info

This episode was WILD, literally! Branden Sanders of Sanders Wildlife came through and shared some of his Eggcellent Adventures as a certified wildlife rescue and rehab guru. Everything from endangered species of skunk that hitched a 12 hour ride in a tractor trailer, to a melanated coyote that went viral for breaking into homes just o make friends with pet dogs! We even got the feel-good origin stories of how he fell in love with wild life. I hope you’re ready for this Eggcellent Adventure! 

With almost a hundred thousand facebook fans and millions of views, BAWK is a fan favorite among the online chicken communities. During the peak of the pandemic Lee and his family decided to get chickens…Well, his wife built a coop and they have been creating a plethora of content that people absolutely love! Check out the full interview with Reec as they dive deep into Lee’s journey into the world of chicken people. 

Meet Rai of @CovidCluckers! She is an amazing content creator who is extremely popular on social media for her "poultry post". Yes the Covid Cluckers that has been mentioned in several episodes on Eggcellent Adventures by other guest. She is spreading valuable chicken care tips all while making compelling and entertaining content with her backyard flock in Maryland. Take a listen as she and Reec talk chicken math, genetics and more! 

This special LIVE episode is about Ducks! They are adorable as ducklings BUT many ducks end up being abandoned because the care is so much different than raising chickens. It can be fun, if you are prepared. Reec walks through his good, bad and messy experiences with raising ducks. Take a listen if you want ducks! 

Episode 3. features a conversation with Lisa Steele, author of Fresh Eggs Daily, TV host of Welcome To My Farm

On this episode of Eggcellent Adventures with Reec, we are joined with Lisa Steele of Fresh Eggs Daily. She has an enormous social media following that peaks into the millions. Her followers and fans are following her vast knowledge of chicken wellness supplies, recipes , flock hacks and more. 

Lisa is also the host of a nationally televised show named Welcome To My Farm and author of the best selling cook book “Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook”.

Lisa gives so many farm hacks including how to keep snakes away! Tune in for another EGGcellent Adventure with Reec Swiney @BlackYardChickenz

Wondering if you’ve got a hen or a rooster? 🐔 Join Reec and Purina’s poultry eggspert Dr. Biggs as we crack 🐣 the code on chicken gender! 🥚🐓

This 1st gen, hobby farm in Ontario Canada joins Eggcellent Adventures to share their incredible journey that includes hatchlings, pigs, and a little dog too! Their acreage is an amazing sight to see. We talk about predator proofing, raising pigs and how the homestead brought the family closer. 

Chickens, ducks, homeschooling and cook books! Check out the story behind this 1st generation homestead. The ups, downs and everything in between! Check out the conversation between these social media chicken buddies. 

On this episode of Eggcellent Adventures with Reec Swiney, we got an in depth look at Wolf Lake farms in Texas while  conversing with Demond. 

He and his family own  a huge ranch the houses chickens, cattle, donkeys, and even bees! They also grow variety of vegetables , flowers and plants on their land. 

Take a listen to the story of how they grew from a small backyard garden to a multiple acre ranch in the valleys of Texas. The man gives us some tips and tricks for livestock as well as harvesting, And the value of relationships and family.

Reec has a dynamic talk with Dr. Patrick Biggs, PH. D. a leading name in poultry nutrition. Dr. Biggs is currently the lead man at Purina when it comes to developing "the right stuff" for your backyard chickens of all stages in life. 

Reec & Dr. Biggs talk about everything from life stage expectations, proper types of nutrition, brooding practices, molt, coop care, benefits of multiple coops, types of layer feed, his previous background with "big poultry", favorite chicken breeds, what types of chickens for your main purpose, and much much more!

This is an Eggcellent Adventures that you do NOT want to miss if you have chickens or are thinking of becoming an owner. 

Fueled by the memory of promises unfulfilled, this black family's decision to purchase over 40 acres of land is a deliberate effort to take back a portion of the freedom that was once pledged – 40 acres and a mule. Now he's sharing all of the knowledge he's acquired, from purchasing land for  cheap, manufactured homes, water systems, gardening, farming and more!  

Eggcellent Adventures Ep. 20

TRACIE ADAMS OF Carolina Goat Yoga and Cuddle Sessions. Tracie has a thriving business in the Carolina's that is all about health and wellness with the added bonus of goat interaction! This episode is all about goat care and many of the intricacies involved. Her story is amazing and she even had a new baby goat with her for the episode. So if you want to hear about goat care and business, this is the episode for you!  

On this episode of Eggcellent Adventures with Reec Swiney, we got an in depth look at Wolf Lake farms in Texas while  conversing with Demond. 

He and his family own  a huge ranch the houses chickens, cattle, donkeys, and even bees! They also grow variety of vegetables , flowers and plants on their land. 

Take a listen to the story of how they grew from a small backyard garden to a multiple acre ranch in the valleys of Texas. The man gives us some tips and tricks for livestock as well as harvesting, And the value of relationships and family. 

On this episode of Eggcellent Adventures Reec satellites into Minnesota to talk with Taylor (@ChakraChickens)

, host of the Un-Cooped Podcast and homesteader / egg farmer. Taylor sheds light on his collection of breath taking chickens, peacocks, Guineafowl, goats, horses and even snakes! 

He and his wife share a variety of critters. Taylor is also very knowledgeable on hatching. We get some pro tips on hatching, raising peacocks, advice on types of chickens for your personality and how chicken math turned 10 baby chicks into over 80 birds! 

Meet Nikki of Purely Chickens. This social media star, started her chicken journey in 2004 from a school hatching project. Since then her family has grown from owning a few chickens, to having a farm that also incudes goats, geese, an array of vegetation and of course, more chickens. Nikki has two books out, an amazing chicken coop product in conjunction with Eaton Pet & Pasture and a social footprint that expands close to the millions. 

A life changing, debilitating illness pushed this former inner city teacher in Wisconsin has transitioned to owner and proprietor of a massive farm that houses chickens, ducks, gats, cattle and multiple crops! Hear the conversation between Eggcellent Adventure’s host, Reec Swiney, and Scarlett as they discuss her overcoming gastroparesis and battling lupus with raw goat milk! Scarlett, aka the melanin Milkmaid, has also turned her farm into a sanctuary for learning and caring for her entire community. This is a very special episode. 

Reec has a dynamic talk with Dr. Patrick Biggs, PH. D. a leading name in poultry nutrition. Dr. Biggs is currently the lead man at Purina when it comes to developing "the right stuff" for your backyard chickens of all stages in life. 

Reec & Dr. Biggs talk about everything from life stage expectations, proper types of nutrition, brooding practices, molt, coop care, benefits of multiple coops, types of layer feed, his previous background with "big poultry", favorite chicken breeds, what types of chickens for your main purpose, and much much more!

This is an Eggcellent Adventures that you do NOT want to miss if you have chickens or are thinking of becoming an owner. 

Yes, you saw right, we are in Scottland for this episode! Reec talks with Andi of Spam Valley Croft about her chicken adventures, drams of a big farm, converting an inheritance into a homestead (croft), and everything in between. They talk about mental health benefits and how her backyard poultry is helping with anxiety and even lawn maintenance.

Better Flock is changing the thoughts behind chicken hydration! Their product dou that they dub "Poultries Power Couple" is AN All-natural drinking water duo, each curated with premium specialty ingredients to support health challenges or egg production. Better Flock Founders, a sister duo, come from a family who is no stranger to poultry health. Their father was a pioneer in the feild as well. Hear the story behind Better Flock, the vision for success and why they are making so much headway. 

More information at: www.betterflock.com

Patrick Biggs, PH. D. of the Purina Poultry Nutrition team gets into detail about the molt and what that looks like for chickens at different stages of their life cycle, why it's needed, nutritional changes and the importance of it for your birds body. 

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We dive into winter prep for your backyard flock. Especially for those who are dealing with their first winter! Winter prep

-      Water very important

-      Heated dishes

-      Buckets

-      Heated hose

Food

-      Ample feed

-      Switch from layer feed if they are all in molt

-      Corn will help heat bodies up

MOST chickes are built for cold

-      Desiger breeds can get frost bite on those big head feathers (polish and bantams)

-      SAY NO TO HEAT LAMPS

o Dust

o Feathers

o Jumpy birds
can all cause fires!!!

-      IF you just MUST use heat, use a heat plate NOT A HOT PLATE THAT YOU COOK ON 

-      A heat plate that you would use for a brooder box, Cozy Chick makes one