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...

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?...

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...

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...

Build Your Farm and Future: Raising a Sustainable Meat Flock

This article first appeared in the Fall 2022 issue of Homestead Living magazine. Whether you are a backyard hobbyist or a full scale homesteader, my guess is that you have at least flirted with the idea of raising your own meat chickens. Perhaps you are still in the...

Our Favorite Duck Breeds

In the fall as our chick season begins to slowly wind down, but duckling season is still in full swing! Next to chicks, ducklings are the next favorite among our customers and a common next step on the road to owning more birds and/or livestock. Ducks lay highly...
Raising Backyard Ducklings

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...

read more
5 Reasons to Raise Waterfowl

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...

read more
Gail Damerow Discusses Health Concerns for Ducks

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...

read more
What do Ducklings Eat?

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...

read more
Raising Cornish Cross with Anna Christian

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...

read more
Why I Keep Production Layers

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...

read more
How to Make and Can Bone Broth

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...

read more
Building Your Flock: McMurray’s Best Layers

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...

read more
Gail Damerow Discusses How to Deworm Chickens

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...

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Winterize Your Chicken Coop With Janet Garman

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,...

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McMurray Hatchery Profile: Wise Acre Farm

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,...

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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!