McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other Poultry
Raising Backyard Ducklings
When we moved to our new house, I knew that I wanted to bring home some baby ducklings as soon as we were set up for them. I have always loved ducks. As an avid baker who prizes their eggs, I've dreamed of having my own small flock of layers for years. Because I am...
5 Reasons to Raise Waterfowl
I have been known to swim against the current, do things my way, and voice my reasons why loudly. Not in a bossy way, but in a way that makes you wonder if you should have taken my advice. This rings true for my beliefs on intentional gardening, how and what I choose...
Gail Damerow Discusses Health Concerns for Ducks
Ducks hardly ever get sick and rarely suffer from the same body parasites as chickens. But ducks do occasionally experience health issues. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her to discuss health concerns...
What do Ducklings Eat?
Baby ducks are cuter than a bug’s ear, but what should ducklings eat? There are many commercial products available that will meet the nutritional needs of ducklings. However, you must also take into consideration how to support optimal bone growth in your baby ducks...
Building Your Flock: Dark Brown Layers for Valentine’s Day
Our "Building Your Flock" blog series is designed to help you pick your perfect breeds as you peruse our catalog and scroll the website. We're getting festive for the second article of this series by focusing on our dark brown layers for Valentine's Day! If you have a...
Coffee with the Chicken Ladies Breed Spotlight: Plymouth Rock
The Plymouth Rock chicken is one of the most popular breeds in the US, and they have a strong following in the rest of the world as well. They’re a beautiful dual-purpose breed that is as much at home on a small farm as they are on the show table. The name, Plymouth...
Gail Damerow Discusses How to Treat and Prevent Frostbite
When winter weather turns cold, chickens can suffer from frostbite. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her for recommendations on how to treat and prevent frostbite in chickens. How does frostbite occur?...
Raising Cornish Cross with Anna Christian
Join us as we interview Anna Christian, popular blogger, designer, and social media influencer, as she discusses her experiences with raising and processing our Cornish Cross chicks this past fall. What made you start raising and processing your own meat birds to...
Why I Keep Production Layers
It's no secret that I love chickens. My job? Chicken related. My backyard? Full of chickens. My favorite topic of conversation? Yes, chickens. I love all the breeds, all the sizes, all the purposes, all the personalities. I am a true chicken lady at heart. Before I...
How to Make and Can Bone Broth
Whether homesteading on a property or living in the suburbs, bone broth or stock should be a staple in your pantry. As I meal plan for the week, it’s good to know that many of the food items I need for making meals consist of things I have preserved. The joy of making...
Building Your Flock: McMurray’s Best Layers
As we begin our 2023 hatching season, the team here at McMurray is excited to share a new "Building Your Flock" blog series, designed to help you pick your perfect breeds as you peruse our catalog and website. In our first article of this series, we are focusing on...
Gail Damerow Discusses How to Deworm Chickens
When and how to deworm chickens has become a controversial subject among backyard flock owners. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her recommendations on how to deworm chickens as a follow up to her...
Winterize Your Chicken Coop With Janet Garman
While some of you are already in the thick of cold weather, many of us are just hitting the point of closing the coop windows and fluffing up the straw for winter in the coop. Keeping chickens comfortable during winter weather is a top concern for new chicken owners,...
McMurray Hatchery Profile: Wise Acre Farm
Sonoma County, California is known for its famous vineyards and rolling hills. Just north of Santa Rosa lies Tiffany Holbrook’s urban 15-acre pastured egg farm. Aptly named Wise Acre Farm, Farmher Tiffany is wise beyond her years. She is a powerhouse: a wife, mother,...
Coffee with the Chicken Ladies Breed Spotlight: Orpington
The Orpington is one of the best known breeds amongst chicken keepers both old and new. They’re a Heritage breed success story, and a very good option for brand new chicken ladies and men. The Orpington spent some time on the Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation...
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2023 season — always with FREE SHIPPING on all full orders of baby birds!