McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other Poultry
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....
McMurray Hatchery 2018 Fathers Day Promotions
Enter to win a $50 McMurray Hatchery gift certificate in these promotions: Show Us Your Rooster Photo Contest; Herbin’ Backyards Father’s Day Giveaway.
Spring is in the Air 2018 Photo Contest Winners Announced
'Spring is in the Air' Photo Contest Winners! Congratulations to these 2018 photo contest winners in the Spring is in the Air photo contest! These winning photos will be used on our website, and in our marketing materials. The following entrants will each receive a...
Meet Our Team: Curt M., Hatchery Manager (Retired)
In the third article in our ‘Meet Our Team’ series, we are proud to highlight our Hatchery Manager, Curt M., who has been with McMurray Hatchery for over forty years. Find out his favorite chicken breeds, and see what famous television shows he has been on!
Meet Our Team: Tom and Ashley Watkins
In this second article in the Meet Our Team blog series, we are talking to Tom and Ashley Watkins. Not only are they family, but they are the face of McMurray Hatchery.
Photo Contest: Spring is in the Air, 2018
Warmer weather is finally here and it's time for our 2nd annual Spring is in the Air photo contest! We want to see how your flock is spending its Spring days. Now through May 23rd, enter photos of your Spring chickens. Send us photos of your baby chicks, fresh eggs,...
What Chicken Breeds Make the Best Mothers?
If you’ve been raising chickens for a while, you know that there are some breeds — or even just some hens — that tend to go ‘broody’ more than others, and, some breeds that make better mothers than others. With Mother’s Day approaching, we thought it would be a good...
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Pre-order day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry for the 2027 season!