May 22, 2025 • 27 mins
In this episode of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, we're joined by Jessica from The Gypsy Hen, a passionate poultry breeder with over 300 birds, including Americanas, Silkies, Morans, Cochins, and more! We dive into what it’s like managing over 30 breeding pens, navigating poultry shows, using incubators like the GQF Sportsman 1502, and preparing for exhibition season. Jessica shares real talk about chicken math, double mating for patterned varieties like Silver Duckwing Americanas, and tips for first-time poultry exhibitors. Whether you're showing backyard birds or raising serious breeders, this episode is packed with practical insights and laughs.
poultry show tips, chicken breeding podcast, how to show chickens, gypsy hen farm, bantam breeding, Americana chickens, game bird exhibition, poultry show checklist, poultry incubator tips, GQF Sportsman 1502, chicken math podcast, double mating chickens, showing patterned poultry, NPIP certified breeders, hatching eggs for sale USA
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jennifer (00:00):
Poultry nerds.
(00:00):
We're here today with Jessicafrom the Gypsy Hen.
Welcome, Jessica.
How are you today?
Not too bad.
Thank you.
Jessica (00:08):
Yeah,
Jennifer (00:08):
I see you're in Kansas,
Jessica (00:10):
Tornado alley?
It used to be, but tornadoes arespreading further and further.
Jennifer (00:17):
Yeah, they're coming here now in Tennessee.
tell us about your farm.
What all do you have going onyour farm?
chickens.
Jessica (00:26):
I have Americana, large, Fallon Bantam.
Coachin.
Bantams.
Morans.
Jennifer (00:30):
And Silkies.
So just so we can picture this,how many pens does it take to do
all those breeds?
Jessica (00:37):
I have the farm.
Jennifer (00:39):
Yeah.
Jessica (00:40):
That is,
Jennifer (00:41):
I have I think 31 pens.
How many do you think you have?
Jessica (00:46):
I haven't counted for NPIP.
They make me count the birds.
Jennifer (00:51):
I would say Americana, large foul, and then Americana.
Banum.
That really counts as twobecause you gotta keep'em
separate.
Carey (01:01):
lord.
Jennifer (01:03):
So you've got seven that you're working with, right?
Jessica (01:08):
I have every variety of Americana except for buff.
Jennifer (01:13):
Oh, so now we're even talking about different colors.
Yes.
So you have 150 pens or so,right?
Jessica (01:19):
wow.
okay, I'm gonna take a minute todo just that.
Carey (01:22):
Jennifer with all of those different birds, she's
gotta have a really goodhatcher.
Jennifer (01:30):
Oh yeah.
what do you incubate in?
Jessica (01:33):
I incubate in A GQF.
Carey (01:35):
gotta be the Silkies
Jessica (01:36):
Sportsman 1502 is my main hacker incubator.
I have six Sprint sea tabletopincubators and four NR 360 that
I use on occasion.
Jennifer (01:48):
Gotcha.
Jessica (01:50):
I used the GQF Hova Baer 1588.
Jennifer (01:55):
Yep, I can see that.
So let's go down our firstrabbit hole.
I forewarned you, we were gonnahit rabbit holes.
I got an email yesterday fromsomebody who was shopping for a
new incubator, but didn't wannacommit.
Price wise to a cabinet, and Idirected them towards Brensia.
Do you like Brensia?
Jessica (02:17):
Theia are probably my favorite tabletop model.
they're more accurate than anyof the others.
Jennifer (02:23):
gotcha.
Jessica (02:24):
Okay.
Jennifer (02:25):
I used one.
Carey (02:26):
get what you pay for.
Jennifer (02:28):
Yeah.
Carey (02:30):
Yep.
Jennifer (02:31):
how many eggs are you incubating and hatching in a
week's time?
Jessica (02:35):
Sometimes I only set a few and sometimes I fill'em all
up.
Jennifer (02:39):
You have 1 15 0 2,
Jessica (02:41):
correct.
Jennifer (02:42):
So what is that, like 700 eggs?
Jessica (02:46):
It's supposed to be 288 eggs advertised.
But if you're using, phantomracks, You can put two extra
trays and pools of eggs in thehatching tray.
Oh my gosh.
You were an enabler on thechicken map, aren't you?
It gets bad.
Carey (03:06):
And I mean with the 15 oh twos, there's a lot you can do
with those, especially likegoing to the bantams for ban
birds or gang birds.
But for quail, there's people onEtsy that make these little
stands, so you can double stackeven when you have jumbo quail.
(03:28):
Now this is all alleged, but Ithink you can get about 1200 in
there.
Jessica (03:38):
It's a good thing I don't have quail.
Jennifer (03:40):
quail multiply really quickly.
Jessica (03:42):
Quail math would be bad.
Jennifer (03:44):
So you show all of these birds that you have?
I do, yeah.
Are you like a show person likeI am that doesn't wanna go very
far and stay close to home?
Or are you one of those thattravel across the country?
Jessica (03:58):
Since I travel for work, traveling isn't as
appealing.
I try to stick to shows withinabout four to 12 hour drive.
Jennifer (04:09):
12 hours is a commitment.
That's a distance right there.
I stick to two to three hoursaway.
I'd run out.
All right.
So do you haul all sevendifferent types with you to
shows or do you maybe pick andchoose here and there?
Jessica (04:29):
all of the brief, and then other times I will pick we
can't call'em favorites,
Jennifer (04:34):
All right.
So you wanted to talk aboutintroducing people to shows
today and take any unknowns outof the picture and encourage
people to try to show.
Yes.
So we thought we would startfrom the beginning.
And the beginning is the showpacket, right?
(04:55):
The show packet
Jessica (04:56):
It's just filling in how many birds you have if
they're cox cock rolls, hens, orpull.
And then the hardest part isreally.
Mailing it off and putting thatbig fat check in there,
Jennifer (05:09):
mailing it off on time.
I'm always the last minuteperson.
Jessica (05:13):
There are a lot
Jennifer (05:14):
You just don't know who's gonna molt, who's gonna, I
don't know, go Brody, who'sgonna do whatever.
So I wait till the last minute.
And a lot of people don'trealize that when they're
looking at those entry forms,that K stands for cock role.
That is correct.
Yeah.
If you don't know, you don'tknow.
(05:35):
And pull it is a female under ayear.
The point of lay does not matterbetween bullet and hen.
It does not.
Yep.
And then Cockrell to Cock, birdis a year old also.
Correct.
All right, so now you got yourentry form done.
You've paid, which typicallyruns what, three to$7 per bird
(05:59):
per show?
They're getting upwards of fourto nine now.
Yep.
Okay.
So explain to everybody what thedifference is between a single
show and a double show.
Jessica (06:10):
show is just one panel of judges that goes through the
birds once.
A double show is two panels ofjudges that go through the
birds.
Each panel goes through once.
So it's two shows the same spoton the same day.
Jennifer (06:26):
So why would you want to go to a double show over a
single show?
Jessica (06:30):
More bang for your butt.
Jennifer (06:32):
Exactly.
Points.
But be warned, it's a long day.
Jessica (06:37):
It is a long day.
Usually gets out around five
Jennifer (06:40):
So now you've entered, you know what you're doing and.
You're on your way to the show.
What time do you need to bethere?
Jessica (06:50):
I always try to be there about a half hour before
they allow us to coop in.
Jennifer (06:56):
All right.
So Coop in just means takingyour birds and putting them in
the coop?
Jessica (07:00):
Yes.
In the showcase
Jennifer (07:01):
when you go into the show hall, there'll be a table.
And you check in.
Correct.
Get your exhibitor numbercorrect.
Pay.
If you haven't
Jessica (07:14):
of them, once they know you will allow you.
Jennifer (07:17):
red light.
It's not blinking.
So hush.
Carey (07:23):
I don't understand why when you've got people that,
show up early, which to me isbeing respectful of other
people's time.
And then you got these othersthat, judging starts at 9, 8 55.
They're running through the hallwith a bird trying to find their
(07:44):
coup.
And I'm like, where are youbeing?
Jennifer (07:50):
Don't be that person.
Carey (07:51):
don't do that.
Jennifer (07:53):
The club people don't appreciate that either.
Carey (07:58):
about you.
Jennifer (07:59):
All right, so we're checked in.
We have our exhibitor number.
We're off to find our coops.
in your case, you're gonna bescattered all over to Kingdom
come and the bans, the largefouls and all over the place,
right?
Most shows, yes.
Yep.
Lot of walking.
Wear your comfortable shoes.
Jessica (08:19):
My Fitbit gets excited.
Carey (08:23):
I was gonna say, if you go to a show as a spectator, you
should wear comfortable shoes.
But if you got different birdsthere in categories, then you
almost need like a segue.
Jennifer (08:42):
It's a big enough show.
Have you ever been to OhioNationals?
Not yet.
That's a big one.
I do small shows.
Carey (08:49):
Yeah.
I get a lot of steps in everyyear at the Ohio Nationals.
Jennifer (08:54):
now you've got your birds you're cooping in.
What would be things that youwould put in your bag to take to
the show?
Jessica (09:02):
See, that's the interesting part.
At first, I started overgrooming every bird.
And then I got lazy and had toomany birds, so I just put the
bird in the cage and gave itfood and water.
And the odd thing is theystarted winning.
And I'm all about doing aslittle as possible to achieve
the results I'm looking for.
Jennifer (09:23):
That's nice.
Comes with hauling cows.
So food and water and you don'ttake anything
Jessica (09:32):
I have it in the pickup, but that doesn't mean
I'm going to bring it in.
Being a girl, I pack, like I'mabout to leave forever.
So I have everything with me incase I do need something.
Towels, diaper wipes.
Spray a comb.
My Americana.
Do you need their beards,combed.
(09:53):
A little first aid kit becauseit never fails.
You always get your fingerspinched somewhere.
Trying to think of what's inthat box.
Zip ties.
Yes.
Zip ties.
There's a bag of candy in thereas well.
Jennifer (10:09):
I do carry hard candy in mine too.
the dip ties would be not forthe birds, but for the cages in
case you need to move them justever so slightly
Jessica (10:23):
Sometimes they don't stay where they're supposed to
be.
So you have to zip tie the cageitself.
Jennifer (10:27):
Exactly.
Cage cups.
I have cage cups.
I carry a empty jug to go fillup with water so I don't have to
walk back and forth.
Jessica (10:39):
The birds are used to our crummy wall water here, and
the change in water actuallyupsets their systems.
Jennifer (10:46):
Smart.
Jessica (10:47):
And I have seen other people that have vitamin
mixtures in their water, so theyalways bring their own
Jennifer (10:52):
You could bring some treats if you wanted to give'em
like a boost'cause they gettired in the middle of the day.
I use bread, little wall bread.
Jessica (11:01):
I have eaten a chicken nugget at Shawnee last year
while admiring my chickens.
Jennifer (11:07):
That gets him excited, huh?
It really did.
I was at a show a couple weeksago and one thing I think I'm
going to invest in would be somekind of.
Clear plexiglass that may couldslide down between the cages
because wasn't my bird, it wasthe bird behind mine.
(11:29):
Kept reaching through andpicking a fight with one of my
cock rolls and we, I couldn'tfind any cardboard to put down
in there.
So I think I would invest insome thin plexiglass to go down
in there.
Jessica (11:43):
A lot of the game fell people have plexiglass or
plastic sheeting that they putin between.
Jennifer (11:49):
Yeah, that was a Shammo rooster that was picking
at my orpington and I would walkover there and the orpington was
like, mama, I never had anybodypick at me before.
What is he doing?
So the Orpingtons are so docile,he didn't know what to think
about it.
I carry a little brush because Ihave fluffy butts.
(12:11):
Yes.
Instead of a comb, one of thosewith the teeth that's wide set,
like from the seventies, thatkind of brush.
I resemble that remark.
I'm right there with you Chick.
I can't think of anything elsein my.
Coop bag, other than what youmentioned, a folding chair.
(12:34):
Yep.
Water for yourself.
And snacks.
Snacks, yep.
Sometimes they have food trucks.
Jessica (12:41):
They
Jennifer (12:41):
But you probably want your own snacks in a lot of
cases.
Okay, so now you've got, you'reall cooped in your birds are
groomed.
If you're gonna groom'em, youdon't have to.
So you take your chair.
do you have cage boxes?
The transport boxes?
Yes.
Jessica (13:01):
Yes.
Jennifer (13:02):
Where do you put yours?
Jessica (13:03):
I put mine.
Carey (13:06):
I forgot hair dryers.
Jessica (13:09):
Many people have those.
Jennifer (13:14):
Those are just for silkies, right?
Mostly.
Okay.
So where do you put your boxesat?
Normally back in my pickup.
Gotcha.
Jessica (13:25):
aisles clutter free and I don't have to worry if they're
gonna disappear or not.
Jennifer (13:29):
And then you take your chair and sit against the walls
as the exhibitors,
Jessica (13:37):
or we
Jennifer (13:38):
wander around talking to friends.
Exactly.
We do that too.
But if you're new and you aregoing to basically park yourself
against a wall or out of theway.
'cause you can't be in theaisles when they're judging.
Correct.
And so if you're just therevisiting, you've never been to a
show before.
(13:58):
The people that are parked inchairs along the walls, those
are the exhibitors, and we aremore than happy to talk chicken
the entire time we are sittingthere.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
So talk away if you'reinterested in something.
And we're not usually parked toofar from our chickens, most of
us,
Carey (14:16):
don't be that person.
while the judges are judging,don't be that person that goes
out and tries to have aconversation with them.
Jennifer (14:25):
you can talk to him afterwards.
Carey (14:27):
I've been to shows and seen that before and I'm like,
oh gosh, how is this fixing togo?
Jennifer (14:34):
I've seen some blowups at shows before where people
were not happy about something.
it happens, people get theirfeelings hurt.
Jessica (14:45):
It does.
Jennifer (14:46):
Yep.
Jessica (14:47):
When I go to a show, I don't plan for my birds to win
the breeds and varieties I havedon't always win.
So for my rare and patternvarieties, the best thing I can
ever get besides best or reservea variety is Oh wow.
That's pretty.
that to me is almost just asgood as winning a show.
Jennifer (15:06):
I can relate to that because there's a lot of people
that are there because they'reafter the points, the awards.
That's the competitiveness ofpeople.
But then there's people like meand it sounds like you that just
go, because we enjoy it.
We enjoy talking chicken topeople all day and just
something to do on a Saturday.
(15:27):
Exactly.
All right, so let's talk aboutone more thing before we talk
about cooping out so peopleunderstand the terminology for
winning.
So start at the bottom and workyour way up the
Jessica (15:43):
They have number placements.
Usually one through five on theindividual sexes of the bird,
and then best in reservevariety.
From there, you have best inreserve of breed.
From there, you have best inreserve of class.
For me, that would becontinental, A-O-C-C-L for my
(16:05):
bantams feather leg, A OSB forthe large fowl.
Americana.
And American for the cler.
And then from there, the best ofeach class go on Champion Row,
and then the judges select forthe Grand Champion and Reserve
Grand champion
Jennifer (16:27):
for each show.
if it's a double show, you do ittwice.
Correct.
So when is an
Carey (16:33):
bragging rights come in?
Jennifer (16:35):
Yeah.
when is the best time
Jessica (16:37):
They're supposed to coop out after the award
ceremony, which is usuallywritten in the rules.
However, there's a few peoplethat sneak out early.
If you're on Champion Row or ifyou have a winning bird, then
you forfeit your awards forCooping
Carey (16:52):
That makes sense
Jennifer (16:53):
Can't win if you're not there.
Carey (16:55):
That's right.
Jennifer (16:58):
So now let's talk about your patterned birds.
Which birds do you have that arepatterned?
Jessica (17:05):
Silver, Americana, Wheaton, the Ermine, and then
the coach in Bantams.
I have a whole bunch ofdifferent ones.
Jennifer (17:13):
You just got me tickled with how many varieties
you've got.
Jessica (17:17):
So how do you keep track of your breeding program?
A spreadsheet.
Thank goodness for Excel.
Jennifer (17:23):
Wow.
So do you do leg bands or wingbands?
Jessica (17:28):
I have colored zip ties that mean different things.
I have leg bands that meandifferent things.
Some birds have wing bands andsome birds have toe punches.
Jennifer (17:38):
Okay toe punches is one thing we haven't talked
about on the show before.
So can you explain toe punching?
It's like an ear piercing.
But on a chicken toe.
In the webbing.
Jessica (17:51):
In the webbing, it's just a little hole.
Jennifer (17:55):
How do you keep it from growing back together?
Jessica (17:57):
When they're small, you pick it apart and eventually it
doesn't grow back together.
Jennifer (18:04):
Okay.
And so there's differentcombinations that tell you.
Jessica (18:08):
There's actually a sheet that you can look at to
tell you what number, or you canjust say any left foot outer web
is this or right foot outer web.
Jennifer (18:20):
So how many different combinations is it?
16.
I thought there was upwards of20.
Okay.
So I use wing bands.
And then some leg bands, butmostly wing bands.
so the pattern varieties, do youdouble mate those or do you have
(18:40):
those just set up in single Co?
Jessica (18:44):
It would be great if they would all be single coop,
but some of them are doublemated.
Which ones?
Colombian Penciled Brown Reds.
And those silvers.
Jennifer (18:56):
So which one is the hardest one to work with?
Jessica (19:00):
Probably the silver duck wing on any breed, but for
me it's the silver Americana.
And why is that?
The shafting on the hensfeathering.
Jennifer (19:12):
Okay.
Let me google this picturebecause I'm just not gonna
pretend that I know what thislooks like.
Jessica (19:20):
It's when the shaft inside the feather, the middle
part is a different color thanthe outer part.
Usually it's a lighter color.
Jennifer (19:28):
But I need to know what a silver, oh, ooh.
He's black and silver.
He's pretty.
so the males look prettydifferent from the females, huh?
Correct.
So do you're double mating themNo.
I am.
Okay.
And so the shafting.
Do you want to see the shafting
Jessica (19:46):
No, it should be smooth.
Jennifer (19:48):
Gotcha.
Then she's not good.
Let me look at a different onehere.
I'm just on Google images.
Jessica (19:55):
you.
Rabbit hole.
Jennifer (19:56):
We're down a rabbit hole.
I'm gonna tell you these silverAmericana cock burns, they're
really nice looking.
I can see why you like'em.
Jessica (20:05):
They're almost like a bird chip, without the chest
lacing.
Jennifer (20:10):
Okay.
I was gonna say Darth Vader, butwe can go with urchin.
Jessica (20:16):
Dar Vader does sound pretty good.
I like that.
All right, so how long have youbeen reading those?
The Americana?
When I purchased Gypsy Hen inAugust of 2023, they were part
of Gypsy Hen.
Jennifer (20:30):
Oh, so you're not the original owner of Gypsy Hen?
I am not.
Jessica (20:35):
Years prior I purchased some eggs and they were great
and I bought some more and theywere great.
And then one day my friend says,Hey, check this out.
Gypsy Hens for sale.
Jennifer (20:45):
So when you say gypsy hand, do you mean the name or
the farm,
Jessica (20:49):
the name, some enclosures for the birds and the
birds themselves.
So you just picked those up andtook'em to your property?
I did.
So I know how to move 300 plusbirds.
Jennifer (21:02):
You need to farm out those skills comes from 20 years
of hauling cattle.
Do you have cattle too?
Or you just haul'em?
Jessica (21:13):
finally sold them last year.
Jennifer (21:16):
Cattle prices are up.
how long was Gypsy Hen a workingfarm before you bought it?
Jessica (21:25):
I believe Gypsy Hen started around 2017, but I'm not
sure.
Jennifer (21:30):
So did you get all those breeding records and
everything?
I didn't, I just got the birds.
Oh, okay.
Gotcha.
You still got, what, six yearsworth of breeding work, right?
Even though you didn't get therecords.
Maybe I figured it out.
You figured?
(21:51):
Yeah.
it doesn't really matter whereyou start.
You still gotta figure it out.
Your eye is always gonna lookdifferent than somebody else's
eye.
Jessica (21:57):
That's correct.
It was a learning experience.
Jennifer (22:01):
That's taking on a whole lot of birds and trying to
sort it out.
Jessica (22:04):
Oh, that was the easy part.
I already had a bunch of birdsbefore the gypsy hen birds.
Jennifer (22:10):
Oh wow.
I can't imagine 300 birds comingover, I'm sure I easily have 300
birds out there.
Jessica (22:17):
It was just a gooseneck in a stock trailer.
Jennifer (22:20):
We had another guest on recently, and he's moving
cross country, he's gonna throw'em all in a stock trailer and
take off, do it at night.
So they're all quiet in there.
Jessica (22:32):
They're quiet, and when they wake up, they're in their
new houses just looking forfood.
less stress moving'em in thedark.
Jennifer (22:40):
Yeah.
I can see that.
They can't see.
And they're sleepy.
And they're just bumping along,going to sleep, right?
Jessica (22:47):
That's correct.
That's why a lot of cattle moveat night,
Jennifer (22:52):
Never thought about it.
Carey (22:53):
They do that with cattle.
Poultry works with poultry too,
Jessica (22:59):
One,
Carey (23:00):
there's no places open when you cross the state line.
Jennifer (23:04):
Listen, we're not supposed to say all that kind of
stuff now.
That's a different rabbit hole.
And so if people wanted to findyou and get ahold of you and buy
some of this stuff you sell.
You sell hatching eggs or birdsor both?
Jessica (23:20):
Mostly hatching eggs.
Jennifer (23:22):
Okay.
Jessica (23:22):
hatching eggs?
Yes.
Okay.
Live virtual so much, but I dotake'em to the shows.
to meet up with people, correct.
Jennifer (23:30):
So do you have a website?
I do.
Jessica (23:33):
www gypsy hen.com.
That was easy.
do you know where the name camefrom?
It came from a black Americanahen named.
Jennifer (23:46):
Oh,
Jessica (23:46):
okay.
Carey (23:48):
See, I wondered when you were gonna ask that because I've
been like, where does the namecome from?
Jennifer (23:55):
You're speaking here.
You can speak up anytime youwant to.
Carey (23:59):
with the name Gypsies, is that from, transporting them
across country or what,
Jessica (24:06):
20
Jennifer (24:06):
years over the road?
It does fit.
All right.
I have one last question.
The lady who sold you all thosebirds, is she completely out of
chickens?
I heard.
Yes.
imagine on one hand justsleeping in and not having to
worry about breeding season.
But then on the other hand, Iwas like, what would I do with
(24:26):
my days
Jessica (24:28):
she had just started her family and the little ones
took priority.
Jennifer (24:32):
Oh, I can understand that.
I'm into grandkids now.
Jessica (24:37):
I've into chickens.
Jennifer (24:40):
They're like kids.
Sometimes I have two Orpingtonsthat run around the yard and
follow me I can reach down andpet'em like a dog.
Jessica (24:48):
they're almost the size of a dog.
Carey (24:50):
Chickens can be a form of relaxation when you have all
those kids,
Jennifer (24:57):
Oh, yeah.
Carrie has 47 kids and fourchickens.
And only four chickens.
Jessica (25:03):
Yeah,
Jennifer (25:05):
Do you ship year round or just in the spring and early
summer.
Jessica (25:09):
I ship year round, although I try to avoid the
extreme hot of summer and coldof winter.
Jennifer (25:15):
Yeah, same.
Jessica (25:16):
There's always somebody that absolutely has to have it
available.
I don't mind sending it.
Jennifer (25:21):
Jessica, it has been a pleasure meeting you and having
you on the show.
Thank you.
Is there anything else you wouldlike to tell anybody?
Jessica (25:30):
For the people that have never shown before but are
afraid to, just enter it andbring it.
Some of the shows have abackyard class where it doesn't
matter what breed a bird it is,they judge it differently.
the best way to learn is to do.
Jennifer (25:47):
That's exactly right.
I agree.
And I would like to say that shewas hesitant Little bit
introverted.
So y'all go to her page and giveher some love on Facebook.
Carey (25:59):
no, we're not.
Jennifer (25:59):
She was scared of the red blinking light.
So we have no red blinkinglight.
There's red light.
It doesn't blink.
Thank you again for being here.
Thank you.
Poultry nerds.
(00:00):
We're here today with Jessicafrom the Gypsy Hen.
Welcome, Jessica.
How are you today?
Not too bad.
Thank you.
Jessica (00:08):
Yeah,
Jennifer (00:08):
I see you're in Kansas,
Jessica (00:10):
Tornado alley?
It used to be, but tornadoes arespreading further and further.
Jennifer (00:17):
Yeah, they're coming here now in Tennessee.
tell us about your farm.
What all do you have going onyour farm?
chickens.
Jessica (00:26):
I have Americana, large, Fallon Bantam.
Coachin.
Bantams.
Morans.
Jennifer (00:30):
And Silkies.
So just so we can picture this,how many pens does it take to do
all those breeds?
Jessica (00:37):
I have the farm.
Jennifer (00:39):
Yeah.
Jessica (00:40):
That is,
Jennifer (00:41):
I have I think 31 pens.
How many do you think you have?
Jessica (00:46):
I haven't counted for NPIP.
They make me count the birds.
Jennifer (00:51):
I would say Americana, large foul, and then Americana.
Banum.
That really counts as twobecause you gotta keep'em
separate.
Carey (01:01):
lord.
Jennifer (01:03):
So you've got seven that you're working with, right?
Jessica (01:08):
I have every variety of Americana except for buff.
Jennifer (01:13):
Oh, so now we're even talking about different colors.
Yes.
So you have 150 pens or so,right?
Jessica (01:19):
wow.
okay, I'm gonna take a minute todo just that.
Carey (01:22):
Jennifer with all of those different birds, she's
gotta have a really goodhatcher.
Jennifer (01:30):
Oh yeah.
what do you incubate in?
Jessica (01:33):
I incubate in A GQF.
Carey (01:35):
gotta be the Silkies
Jessica (01:36):
Sportsman 1502 is my main hacker incubator.
I have six Sprint sea tabletopincubators and four NR 360 that
I use on occasion.
Jennifer (01:48):
Gotcha.
Jessica (01:50):
I used the GQF Hova Baer 1588.
Jennifer (01:55):
Yep, I can see that.
So let's go down our firstrabbit hole.
I forewarned you, we were gonnahit rabbit holes.
I got an email yesterday fromsomebody who was shopping for a
new incubator, but didn't wannacommit.
Price wise to a cabinet, and Idirected them towards Brensia.
Do you like Brensia?
Jessica (02:17):
Theia are probably my favorite tabletop model.
they're more accurate than anyof the others.
Jennifer (02:23):
gotcha.
Jessica (02:24):
Okay.
Jennifer (02:25):
I used one.
Carey (02:26):
get what you pay for.
Jennifer (02:28):
Yeah.
Carey (02:30):
Yep.
Jennifer (02:31):
how many eggs are you incubating and hatching in a
week's time?
Jessica (02:35):
Sometimes I only set a few and sometimes I fill'em all
up.
Jennifer (02:39):
You have 1 15 0 2,
Jessica (02:41):
correct.
Jennifer (02:42):
So what is that, like 700 eggs?
Jessica (02:46):
It's supposed to be 288 eggs advertised.
But if you're using, phantomracks, You can put two extra
trays and pools of eggs in thehatching tray.
Oh my gosh.
You were an enabler on thechicken map, aren't you?
It gets bad.
Carey (03:06):
And I mean with the 15 oh twos, there's a lot you can do
with those, especially likegoing to the bantams for ban
birds or gang birds.
But for quail, there's people onEtsy that make these little
stands, so you can double stackeven when you have jumbo quail.
(03:28):
Now this is all alleged, but Ithink you can get about 1200 in
there.
Jessica (03:38):
It's a good thing I don't have quail.
Jennifer (03:40):
quail multiply really quickly.
Jessica (03:42):
Quail math would be bad.
Jennifer (03:44):
So you show all of these birds that you have?
I do, yeah.
Are you like a show person likeI am that doesn't wanna go very
far and stay close to home?
Or are you one of those thattravel across the country?
Jessica (03:58):
Since I travel for work, traveling isn't as
appealing.
I try to stick to shows withinabout four to 12 hour drive.
Jennifer (04:09):
12 hours is a commitment.
That's a distance right there.
I stick to two to three hoursaway.
I'd run out.
All right.
So do you haul all sevendifferent types with you to
shows or do you maybe pick andchoose here and there?
Jessica (04:29):
all of the brief, and then other times I will pick we
can't call'em favorites,
Jennifer (04:34):
All right.
So you wanted to talk aboutintroducing people to shows
today and take any unknowns outof the picture and encourage
people to try to show.
Yes.
So we thought we would startfrom the beginning.
And the beginning is the showpacket, right?
(04:55):
The show packet
Jessica (04:56):
It's just filling in how many birds you have if
they're cox cock rolls, hens, orpull.
And then the hardest part isreally.
Mailing it off and putting thatbig fat check in there,
Jennifer (05:09):
mailing it off on time.
I'm always the last minuteperson.
Jessica (05:13):
There are a lot
Jennifer (05:14):
You just don't know who's gonna molt, who's gonna, I
don't know, go Brody, who'sgonna do whatever.
So I wait till the last minute.
And a lot of people don'trealize that when they're
looking at those entry forms,that K stands for cock role.
That is correct.
Yeah.
If you don't know, you don'tknow.
(05:35):
And pull it is a female under ayear.
The point of lay does not matterbetween bullet and hen.
It does not.
Yep.
And then Cockrell to Cock, birdis a year old also.
Correct.
All right, so now you got yourentry form done.
You've paid, which typicallyruns what, three to$7 per bird
(05:59):
per show?
They're getting upwards of fourto nine now.
Yep.
Okay.
So explain to everybody what thedifference is between a single
show and a double show.
Jessica (06:10):
show is just one panel of judges that goes through the
birds once.
A double show is two panels ofjudges that go through the
birds.
Each panel goes through once.
So it's two shows the same spoton the same day.
Jennifer (06:26):
So why would you want to go to a double show over a
single show?
Jessica (06:30):
More bang for your butt.
Jennifer (06:32):
Exactly.
Points.
But be warned, it's a long day.
Jessica (06:37):
It is a long day.
Usually gets out around five
Jennifer (06:40):
So now you've entered, you know what you're doing and.
You're on your way to the show.
What time do you need to bethere?
Jessica (06:50):
I always try to be there about a half hour before
they allow us to coop in.
Jennifer (06:56):
All right.
So Coop in just means takingyour birds and putting them in
the coop?
Jessica (07:00):
Yes.
In the showcase
Jennifer (07:01):
when you go into the show hall, there'll be a table.
And you check in.
Correct.
Get your exhibitor numbercorrect.
Pay.
If you haven't
Jessica (07:14):
of them, once they know you will allow you.
Jennifer (07:17):
red light.
It's not blinking.
So hush.
Carey (07:23):
I don't understand why when you've got people that,
show up early, which to me isbeing respectful of other
people's time.
And then you got these othersthat, judging starts at 9, 8 55.
They're running through the hallwith a bird trying to find their
(07:44):
coup.
And I'm like, where are youbeing?
Jennifer (07:50):
Don't be that person.
Carey (07:51):
don't do that.
Jennifer (07:53):
The club people don't appreciate that either.
Carey (07:58):
about you.
Jennifer (07:59):
All right, so we're checked in.
We have our exhibitor number.
We're off to find our coops.
in your case, you're gonna bescattered all over to Kingdom
come and the bans, the largefouls and all over the place,
right?
Most shows, yes.
Yep.
Lot of walking.
Wear your comfortable shoes.
Jessica (08:19):
My Fitbit gets excited.
Carey (08:23):
I was gonna say, if you go to a show as a spectator, you
should wear comfortable shoes.
But if you got different birdsthere in categories, then you
almost need like a segue.
Jennifer (08:42):
It's a big enough show.
Have you ever been to OhioNationals?
Not yet.
That's a big one.
I do small shows.
Carey (08:49):
Yeah.
I get a lot of steps in everyyear at the Ohio Nationals.
Jennifer (08:54):
now you've got your birds you're cooping in.
What would be things that youwould put in your bag to take to
the show?
Jessica (09:02):
See, that's the interesting part.
At first, I started overgrooming every bird.
And then I got lazy and had toomany birds, so I just put the
bird in the cage and gave itfood and water.
And the odd thing is theystarted winning.
And I'm all about doing aslittle as possible to achieve
the results I'm looking for.
Jennifer (09:23):
That's nice.
Comes with hauling cows.
So food and water and you don'ttake anything
Jessica (09:32):
I have it in the pickup, but that doesn't mean
I'm going to bring it in.
Being a girl, I pack, like I'mabout to leave forever.
So I have everything with me incase I do need something.
Towels, diaper wipes.
Spray a comb.
My Americana.
Do you need their beards,combed.
(09:53):
A little first aid kit becauseit never fails.
You always get your fingerspinched somewhere.
Trying to think of what's inthat box.
Zip ties.
Yes.
Zip ties.
There's a bag of candy in thereas well.
Jennifer (10:09):
I do carry hard candy in mine too.
the dip ties would be not forthe birds, but for the cages in
case you need to move them justever so slightly
Jessica (10:23):
Sometimes they don't stay where they're supposed to
be.
So you have to zip tie the cageitself.
Jennifer (10:27):
Exactly.
Cage cups.
I have cage cups.
I carry a empty jug to go fillup with water so I don't have to
walk back and forth.
Jessica (10:39):
The birds are used to our crummy wall water here, and
the change in water actuallyupsets their systems.
Jennifer (10:46):
Smart.
Jessica (10:47):
And I have seen other people that have vitamin
mixtures in their water, so theyalways bring their own
Jennifer (10:52):
You could bring some treats if you wanted to give'em
like a boost'cause they gettired in the middle of the day.
I use bread, little wall bread.
Jessica (11:01):
I have eaten a chicken nugget at Shawnee last year
while admiring my chickens.
Jennifer (11:07):
That gets him excited, huh?
It really did.
I was at a show a couple weeksago and one thing I think I'm
going to invest in would be somekind of.
Clear plexiglass that may couldslide down between the cages
because wasn't my bird, it wasthe bird behind mine.
(11:29):
Kept reaching through andpicking a fight with one of my
cock rolls and we, I couldn'tfind any cardboard to put down
in there.
So I think I would invest insome thin plexiglass to go down
in there.
Jessica (11:43):
A lot of the game fell people have plexiglass or
plastic sheeting that they putin between.
Jennifer (11:49):
Yeah, that was a Shammo rooster that was picking
at my orpington and I would walkover there and the orpington was
like, mama, I never had anybodypick at me before.
What is he doing?
So the Orpingtons are so docile,he didn't know what to think
about it.
I carry a little brush because Ihave fluffy butts.
(12:11):
Yes.
Instead of a comb, one of thosewith the teeth that's wide set,
like from the seventies, thatkind of brush.
I resemble that remark.
I'm right there with you Chick.
I can't think of anything elsein my.
Coop bag, other than what youmentioned, a folding chair.
(12:34):
Yep.
Water for yourself.
And snacks.
Snacks, yep.
Sometimes they have food trucks.
Jessica (12:41):
They
Jennifer (12:41):
But you probably want your own snacks in a lot of
cases.
Okay, so now you've got, you'reall cooped in your birds are
groomed.
If you're gonna groom'em, youdon't have to.
So you take your chair.
do you have cage boxes?
The transport boxes?
Yes.
Jessica (13:01):
Yes.
Jennifer (13:02):
Where do you put yours?
Jessica (13:03):
I put mine.
Carey (13:06):
I forgot hair dryers.
Jessica (13:09):
Many people have those.
Jennifer (13:14):
Those are just for silkies, right?
Mostly.
Okay.
So where do you put your boxesat?
Normally back in my pickup.
Gotcha.
Jessica (13:25):
aisles clutter free and I don't have to worry if they're
gonna disappear or not.
Jennifer (13:29):
And then you take your chair and sit against the walls
as the exhibitors,
Jessica (13:37):
or we
Jennifer (13:38):
wander around talking to friends.
Exactly.
We do that too.
But if you're new and you aregoing to basically park yourself
against a wall or out of theway.
'cause you can't be in theaisles when they're judging.
Correct.
And so if you're just therevisiting, you've never been to a
show before.
(13:58):
The people that are parked inchairs along the walls, those
are the exhibitors, and we aremore than happy to talk chicken
the entire time we are sittingthere.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
So talk away if you'reinterested in something.
And we're not usually parked toofar from our chickens, most of
us,
Carey (14:16):
don't be that person.
while the judges are judging,don't be that person that goes
out and tries to have aconversation with them.
Jennifer (14:25):
you can talk to him afterwards.
Carey (14:27):
I've been to shows and seen that before and I'm like,
oh gosh, how is this fixing togo?
Jennifer (14:34):
I've seen some blowups at shows before where people
were not happy about something.
it happens, people get theirfeelings hurt.
Jessica (14:45):
It does.
Jennifer (14:46):
Yep.
Jessica (14:47):
When I go to a show, I don't plan for my birds to win
the breeds and varieties I havedon't always win.
So for my rare and patternvarieties, the best thing I can
ever get besides best or reservea variety is Oh wow.
That's pretty.
that to me is almost just asgood as winning a show.
Jennifer (15:06):
I can relate to that because there's a lot of people
that are there because they'reafter the points, the awards.
That's the competitiveness ofpeople.
But then there's people like meand it sounds like you that just
go, because we enjoy it.
We enjoy talking chicken topeople all day and just
something to do on a Saturday.
(15:27):
Exactly.
All right, so let's talk aboutone more thing before we talk
about cooping out so peopleunderstand the terminology for
winning.
So start at the bottom and workyour way up the
Jessica (15:43):
They have number placements.
Usually one through five on theindividual sexes of the bird,
and then best in reservevariety.
From there, you have best inreserve of breed.
From there, you have best inreserve of class.
For me, that would becontinental, A-O-C-C-L for my
(16:05):
bantams feather leg, A OSB forthe large fowl.
Americana.
And American for the cler.
And then from there, the best ofeach class go on Champion Row,
and then the judges select forthe Grand Champion and Reserve
Grand champion
Jennifer (16:27):
for each show.
if it's a double show, you do ittwice.
Correct.
So when is an
Carey (16:33):
bragging rights come in?
Jennifer (16:35):
Yeah.
when is the best time
Jessica (16:37):
They're supposed to coop out after the award
ceremony, which is usuallywritten in the rules.
However, there's a few peoplethat sneak out early.
If you're on Champion Row or ifyou have a winning bird, then
you forfeit your awards forCooping
Carey (16:52):
That makes sense
Jennifer (16:53):
Can't win if you're not there.
Carey (16:55):
That's right.
Jennifer (16:58):
So now let's talk about your patterned birds.
Which birds do you have that arepatterned?
Jessica (17:05):
Silver, Americana, Wheaton, the Ermine, and then
the coach in Bantams.
I have a whole bunch ofdifferent ones.
Jennifer (17:13):
You just got me tickled with how many varieties
you've got.
Jessica (17:17):
So how do you keep track of your breeding program?
A spreadsheet.
Thank goodness for Excel.
Jennifer (17:23):
Wow.
So do you do leg bands or wingbands?
Jessica (17:28):
I have colored zip ties that mean different things.
I have leg bands that meandifferent things.
Some birds have wing bands andsome birds have toe punches.
Jennifer (17:38):
Okay toe punches is one thing we haven't talked
about on the show before.
So can you explain toe punching?
It's like an ear piercing.
But on a chicken toe.
In the webbing.
Jessica (17:51):
In the webbing, it's just a little hole.
Jennifer (17:55):
How do you keep it from growing back together?
Jessica (17:57):
When they're small, you pick it apart and eventually it
doesn't grow back together.
Jennifer (18:04):
Okay.
And so there's differentcombinations that tell you.
Jessica (18:08):
There's actually a sheet that you can look at to
tell you what number, or you canjust say any left foot outer web
is this or right foot outer web.
Jennifer (18:20):
So how many different combinations is it?
16.
I thought there was upwards of20.
Okay.
So I use wing bands.
And then some leg bands, butmostly wing bands.
so the pattern varieties, do youdouble mate those or do you have
(18:40):
those just set up in single Co?
Jessica (18:44):
It would be great if they would all be single coop,
but some of them are doublemated.
Which ones?
Colombian Penciled Brown Reds.
And those silvers.
Jennifer (18:56):
So which one is the hardest one to work with?
Jessica (19:00):
Probably the silver duck wing on any breed, but for
me it's the silver Americana.
And why is that?
The shafting on the hensfeathering.
Jennifer (19:12):
Okay.
Let me google this picturebecause I'm just not gonna
pretend that I know what thislooks like.
Jessica (19:20):
It's when the shaft inside the feather, the middle
part is a different color thanthe outer part.
Usually it's a lighter color.
Jennifer (19:28):
But I need to know what a silver, oh, ooh.
He's black and silver.
He's pretty.
so the males look prettydifferent from the females, huh?
Correct.
So do you're double mating themNo.
I am.
Okay.
And so the shafting.
Do you want to see the shafting
Jessica (19:46):
No, it should be smooth.
Jennifer (19:48):
Gotcha.
Then she's not good.
Let me look at a different onehere.
I'm just on Google images.
Jessica (19:55):
you.
Rabbit hole.
Jennifer (19:56):
We're down a rabbit hole.
I'm gonna tell you these silverAmericana cock burns, they're
really nice looking.
I can see why you like'em.
Jessica (20:05):
They're almost like a bird chip, without the chest
lacing.
Jennifer (20:10):
Okay.
I was gonna say Darth Vader, butwe can go with urchin.
Jessica (20:16):
Dar Vader does sound pretty good.
I like that.
All right, so how long have youbeen reading those?
The Americana?
When I purchased Gypsy Hen inAugust of 2023, they were part
of Gypsy Hen.
Jennifer (20:30):
Oh, so you're not the original owner of Gypsy Hen?
I am not.
Jessica (20:35):
Years prior I purchased some eggs and they were great
and I bought some more and theywere great.
And then one day my friend says,Hey, check this out.
Gypsy Hens for sale.
Jennifer (20:45):
So when you say gypsy hand, do you mean the name or
the farm,
Jessica (20:49):
the name, some enclosures for the birds and the
birds themselves.
So you just picked those up andtook'em to your property?
I did.
So I know how to move 300 plusbirds.
Jennifer (21:02):
You need to farm out those skills comes from 20 years
of hauling cattle.
Do you have cattle too?
Or you just haul'em?
Jessica (21:13):
finally sold them last year.
Jennifer (21:16):
Cattle prices are up.
how long was Gypsy Hen a workingfarm before you bought it?
Jessica (21:25):
I believe Gypsy Hen started around 2017, but I'm not
sure.
Jennifer (21:30):
So did you get all those breeding records and
everything?
I didn't, I just got the birds.
Oh, okay.
Gotcha.
You still got, what, six yearsworth of breeding work, right?
Even though you didn't get therecords.
Maybe I figured it out.
You figured?
(21:51):
Yeah.
it doesn't really matter whereyou start.
You still gotta figure it out.
Your eye is always gonna lookdifferent than somebody else's
eye.
Jessica (21:57):
That's correct.
It was a learning experience.
Jennifer (22:01):
That's taking on a whole lot of birds and trying to
sort it out.
Jessica (22:04):
Oh, that was the easy part.
I already had a bunch of birdsbefore the gypsy hen birds.
Jennifer (22:10):
Oh wow.
I can't imagine 300 birds comingover, I'm sure I easily have 300
birds out there.
Jessica (22:17):
It was just a gooseneck in a stock trailer.
Jennifer (22:20):
We had another guest on recently, and he's moving
cross country, he's gonna throw'em all in a stock trailer and
take off, do it at night.
So they're all quiet in there.
Jessica (22:32):
They're quiet, and when they wake up, they're in their
new houses just looking forfood.
less stress moving'em in thedark.
Jennifer (22:40):
Yeah.
I can see that.
They can't see.
And they're sleepy.
And they're just bumping along,going to sleep, right?
Jessica (22:47):
That's correct.
That's why a lot of cattle moveat night,
Jennifer (22:52):
Never thought about it.
Carey (22:53):
They do that with cattle.
Poultry works with poultry too,
Jessica (22:59):
One,
Carey (23:00):
there's no places open when you cross the state line.
Jennifer (23:04):
Listen, we're not supposed to say all that kind of
stuff now.
That's a different rabbit hole.
And so if people wanted to findyou and get ahold of you and buy
some of this stuff you sell.
You sell hatching eggs or birdsor both?
Jessica (23:20):
Mostly hatching eggs.
Jennifer (23:22):
Okay.
Jessica (23:22):
hatching eggs?
Yes.
Okay.
Live virtual so much, but I dotake'em to the shows.
to meet up with people, correct.
Jennifer (23:30):
So do you have a website?
I do.
Jessica (23:33):
www gypsy hen.com.
That was easy.
do you know where the name camefrom?
It came from a black Americanahen named.
Jennifer (23:46):
Oh,
Jessica (23:46):
okay.
Carey (23:48):
See, I wondered when you were gonna ask that because I've
been like, where does the namecome from?
Jennifer (23:55):
You're speaking here.
You can speak up anytime youwant to.
Carey (23:59):
with the name Gypsies, is that from, transporting them
across country or what,
Jessica (24:06):
20
Jennifer (24:06):
years over the road?
It does fit.
All right.
I have one last question.
The lady who sold you all thosebirds, is she completely out of
chickens?
I heard.
Yes.
imagine on one hand justsleeping in and not having to
worry about breeding season.
But then on the other hand, Iwas like, what would I do with
(24:26):
my days
Jessica (24:28):
she had just started her family and the little ones
took priority.
Jennifer (24:32):
Oh, I can understand that.
I'm into grandkids now.
Jessica (24:37):
I've into chickens.
Jennifer (24:40):
They're like kids.
Sometimes I have two Orpingtonsthat run around the yard and
follow me I can reach down andpet'em like a dog.
Jessica (24:48):
they're almost the size of a dog.
Carey (24:50):
Chickens can be a form of relaxation when you have all
those kids,
Jennifer (24:57):
Oh, yeah.
Carrie has 47 kids and fourchickens.
And only four chickens.
Jessica (25:03):
Yeah,
Jennifer (25:05):
Do you ship year round or just in the spring and early
summer.
Jessica (25:09):
I ship year round, although I try to avoid the
extreme hot of summer and coldof winter.
Jennifer (25:15):
Yeah, same.
Jessica (25:16):
There's always somebody that absolutely has to have it
available.
I don't mind sending it.
Jennifer (25:21):
Jessica, it has been a pleasure meeting you and having
you on the show.
Thank you.
Is there anything else you wouldlike to tell anybody?
Jessica (25:30):
For the people that have never shown before but are
afraid to, just enter it andbring it.
Some of the shows have abackyard class where it doesn't
matter what breed a bird it is,they judge it differently.
the best way to learn is to do.
Jennifer (25:47):
That's exactly right.
I agree.
And I would like to say that shewas hesitant Little bit
introverted.
So y'all go to her page and giveher some love on Facebook.
Carey (25:59):
no, we're not.
Jennifer (25:59):
She was scared of the red blinking light.
So we have no red blinkinglight.
There's red light.
It doesn't blink.
Thank you again for being here.
Thank you.
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