McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other Poultry
Building Your Flock: Chase the Rainbow Basket With Colorful Layers
Our "Building Your Flock" blog series is designed to help you pick your perfect breeds as you peruse our catalog and scroll the website. It's no secret that everyone loves a beautiful rainbow egg basket, and we're here to please! Below is a comprehensive list of the...
Coffee With the Chicken Ladies Spotlight: The English Class
Have you ever wondered what people mean when they talk about the American class or the Asiatic class of chickens? These designations are about 150 years old and were created by the American Poultry Association to classify chicken breeds. When the APA printed the first...
Tips for Raising Meat Birds on a Smaller Scale
By and large, when most people think of raising meat birds, large commercial operations come to mind. However, I'm here to tell you that you can raise meat birds on a smaller scale, right in your own backyard. You don't have to raise enough to sell them, and...
Translating Fowl Language – Gail Damerow Offers Tips
Chickens make a variety of different sounds while engaging in specific activities. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her for tips that might help us in translating this fowl language. Do the sounds...
Falling in Love With Backyard Geese
I grew up in a family of bird lovers. From hunting to bird watching, filling humming bird feeders and listening for birdsong over coffee, birds have always been a huge part of my life. Geese have long been a favorite of mine; I love listening to their calls and...
Turkey Housing Options
Turkeys instinctively want to roost up high with a good view of their surroundings. They often prefer to sleep out in the open and tend not to like sleeping in enclosed spaces. If you design a turkey shelter with their preferences in mind, you’ll have a better chance...
Top Tips for Brooding Quail
Whether you're a homesteader or an urban keeper, Coturnix quail are an excellent addition to any farm or backyard. They mature rapidly, providing meat or eggs in just 8 weeks. Additionally, they are extremely quiet and require very little space. When you order your...
Raising Broilers on Pasture With John Suscovich
There’s no gimmick here. Just grass, grit, and a system that works. Raising broiler chickens on pasture isn’t a trend. It’s how we take back control of our food, and it might just be the best decision you make this year. In just eight short weeks, you can raise all...
Pecking Order in Chickens with Gail Damerow
Many beginning flock keepers are surprised and dismayed when they discover that chickens peck each other while establishing their social hierarchy. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her to explain the...
What to Expect When Raising Turkeys
One of the most common reasons people raise turkeys is to provide a holiday centerpiece or a nutritious source of meat for the freezer, but there is so much more to turkeys than simply providing a meal. Turkeys are incredibly charismatic birds that are enjoyable to...
Using Broody Hens With Gail Damerow
One way to increase your backyard chicken flock is by using broody hens. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her about using broody hens to hatch and raise baby chicks. What are the advantages of using...
Top Tips for New Chicken Keepers with Gail Damerow
Every chicken keeper has a list of “things I wish I’d known” before getting those first chickens. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask for her top tips for new chicken keepers. What is your top tip for...
Raising Turkeys for Beginners
Raising baby turkeys, also called poults, can feel intimidating for beginners. There are a few important differences to be aware of when raising turkey poults as compared to raising chicks (baby chickens). Heritage turkeys are very healthy and hardy as adults, however...
The Pros and Cons of Keeping a Rooster With Gail Damerow
Whether or not to keep a rooster in the flock can be a challenging decision for first-time chicken owners. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her to discuss the pros and cons of keeping a rooster. What is...
Gail Damerow Offers Tips on How to Keep Guineas Home
Guinea fowl are notorious for wandering away from home and never coming back. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her for tips on how to keep guineas home. Why are guineas so difficult to keep home? Usually...
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Pre-order day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry for the 2027 season!