Donald Shaver search widely for diversified breeding stock. Local breeders, knowing his reputation were reluctant to sell to him for fear of competition. In 1946, there were 256 registered chicken breeders in Canada. Shaver Poultry became the 257th. By 1958, only Shaver remained, along with seven other major poultry breeders worldwide. The principle of hybrid vigour had been well established for corn, but the costs and time required to test chicken crosses were higher. Small breeders (as Shaver was at the time) could not afford permanent scientific staff, so Shaver obtained assistance from geneticists conducting research at universities and government institutions. Shaver
Billy Joe Shaver album, "Together Through Life" (2009) - ""I'm listening to Billy Joe Shaver, And I'm reading James Joyce"". Shaver is also the "hero" of the song, "Wish I Could Write Like Billy Joe" on the album "Stormy Love" by Bugs Henderson. Shaver sings the themes to the Adult Swim Television show, "Squidbillies". The opening themes, collectively called "Warrior Man", are only a stanza long and end with a sotto voce spoken word portion. Shaver's debut album, "Old Five and Dimers Like Me" (1973), contained many songs noted for being performed by other artists such as David Allan Coe and Waylon Jennings.