McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other Poultry
French Black Copper Marans – New Breed for 2019
McMurray Hatchery is the oldest, and largest, hatchery in the United States. We offer over 100 breeds of poultry from day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys and other fowl. Each year we carefully select breeds to add to our selection. For our 2019 season, we are...
Bielefelder – New Breed for 2019
For over a century, McMurray Hatchery has been offering the widest selection of poultry breeds and remained dedicated to preserving the quality of each breed as set forth by the American Standard of Perfection — and 2019 is no exception. McMurray Hatchery is thrilled...
Gail Damerow Discusses Egg Candling
As a poultry owner with laying hens, at some point you may decide to try your hand at incubating and hatching your own eggs. But, how can you tell if an egg is viable? Waiting 21 days can seem like an eternity to find out if an egg is going to hatch or not. In...
YouTube Homesteaders, White House on the Hill, Tour McMurray Hatchery
This week, YouTube Homesteaders and creators on the rise, White House on the Hill, paid a visit to McMurray Hatchery. Jake, Becky, and their son Uriah were in town to tour the Hatchery and pick up their Fall meat bird order of Jumbo Cornish X Rocks. Watch...
Gail Damerow Discusses Eggs with Double Yolks or Double Shells
In the third article in our series with poultry expert and best-selling author, Gail Damerow, we ask her about anomalies like double yolk, triple yolk, and double shelled eggs.
Starting Our 2019 Flock (Video)
Each year, when Summer turns to Fall, our team at McMurray Hatchery begins the annual process to hatch and raise our breeder flock for the following season. We hatch and ship day-old, baby chicks from January through October each year. It takes between 18 and 22 weeks...
4-H Broiler Project Compares Two Top Broiler Breeds
For many years, McMurray Hatchery has been a proud supporter of 4-H projects across the country. Each Spring 4-H’ers across the country order their day-old baby chicks from our hatchery and raise them for projects or to show at their county and state fairs. This year,...
Gail Damerow Discusses Prolapse and Egg Binding in Laying Hens
Raising and keeping a flock of laying hens can be very rewarding , but, when complications arise such as prolapse or an egg-bound hen, it can be stressful for both the hen and their owner. In the second article in our series with poultry expert and best-selling author, Gail Damerow, we ask her about these two topics.
2018 Make a Splash Photo Contest Winner Announced
2018 Make a Splash Photo Contest Winner! Congratulations to Caroline Scott! Her amazing photography of her Sebastopol Geese will be used on our website, and in our marketing materials. Ms. Scott will receive a $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE to McMurray Hatchery. All...
McMurray Hatchery Facebook Live: Tom Watkins’ Home Coops and Flock
In this episode of McMurray Hatchery Live, our Vice President Tom Watkins shows viewers his own backyard coops and shares how he takes care of his own flock of chickens and ducks. Tom's flock includes Whiting True Greens, Whiting True Blues, Red Stars,...
Gail Damerow Discusses a Hen’s Laying Cycles and Life Span
When you raise chicks to start a laying flock, it may seem to take forever before you see their first eggs. So how long do you have to wait until your hens start laying? “That depends on the type of chickens you choose,” says poultry expert Gail Damerow. “Chickens...
Five Basic Biosecurity Tips to Protect Your Flock
Emily Reynolds, NPIP Coordinator at the Iowa Poultry Association, shares five basic biosecurity steps to protect your flock — and your family — from harmful diseases.
Photo Contest: Make a Splash and Win with Your Waterfowl Photos
Make a Splash and Win with Your Waterfowl Photos When it's hot there is nothing better than cold water, and no one knows that better than ducks and other waterfowl. Now through July 29th, enter your coolest photos of your ducks, geese or swans for a chance to win!...
2018 Fathers Day Rooster Photo Contest Winners Announced
2018 Father's Day Rooster Photo Contest Winners! Congratulations to these entrants in the 2018 Father's Day Show Us Your Rooster photo contest! These winning photos will be used on our website, and in our marketing materials. The following entrants will...
McMurray Hatchery Live with Tom Watkins
In our first episode of McMurray Hatchery Live, our Vice President Tom Watkins shows viewers around during a typical Hatch Day. Tom shows us around our shipping room, hand-packs a baby chick order, answers viewer questions and gets a visit from his family....
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2026 season!