McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other Poultry
CDC: Salmonella Alert
Whether it’s backyard chickens, or a small farm with a variety of chickens and other poultry or fowl, owning poultry can be a great experience. More and more people are looking for options for healthy, sustainable lifestyle solutions including homesteading and keeping...
Photo Contest Winners Announced
The 2018 Murray McMurray catalog will be landing in mailboxes late December / early January. Our sincerest thanks to all who have participated in our photo contests this year, and in previous years. We are thrilled to be able to feature so many great photos submitted...
Top 10 Tools for Cold-Weather Coops
[nextpage title="Top 10 Tools for Cold-Weather Coops"] As cold weather sets in across much of the U.S., the leaves are falling, days are shorter, and the nights are longer and colder. The National Weather Service is predicting a colder than normal winter for the upper...
Understanding the Molting Process
Molting is a natural process that chickens go through annually so they can replenish and replace their feathers. Chickens need to grow new feathers to allow them to effectively regulate their body temperature especially those in colder environments. Chickens will molt...
2017 Best of Breeds Photo Contest: White Egg Layers
During the two weeks we are looking for images of your ideal white egg-laying birds to be featured in our upcoming catalog and/or website.
Raising Poultry for Fall Family and Holiday Meals
September is an ideal time to start chicks for Fall family and holiday meals. Here are a few of our favorite breeds for meat production.
What is a “Broody Hen” and How to Deal With It
It is normal for hens to go broody and some breeds are more prone to it than others. We thought we’d share some general information with you. For those contemplating raising chickens or for the newbies, let’s start off with what broody means — it means that a hen...
Getting Your Poultry Ready for Show Season
Show season is right around the corner and we wanted to share some simple tips to help you maximize your experience and hopefully assist you with bringing home a few ribbons. We’ve found basic preparation is critical to getting your birds to look their best. BATHING...
Provide a Safe and Comfortable Coop for Your Chickens
Even though coops may vary from one to another, there are some common items that you need to keep in mind to ensure that your chickens are kept safe and perform at an optimal level. We’ve gathered some basic information to get you started on creating a safe and...
Tips to Keep Your Chickens Cool During the Summer
With summer approaching, you’ll want to start thinking about keeping your chickens cool. Here are some tips to keeping your chickens cool this summer.
2017 Best of Breeds Photo Contest: Bantams
Do you have a bantam rooster or hen that is the best in its breed? Over the next three weeks, we are looking for images of Bantams who exemplify their best in breed to be featured in our upcoming catalog and/or website. Entries should be a clear, close-up photo...
Safe Table Scraps for Chickens
Most chickens enjoy table scraps but it is important to feed them in moderation and use them as a special treat because they are not part of a balanced diet.
May is National Egg Month
May is National Egg Month and we will be celebrating throughout the entire month here at the McMurray Hatchery. To help kick off the month, we thought we’d share some facts about eggs that you may or may not know.
Spring Photo Contest Winners Announced
Congratulations to our Spring is in the Air 2017 photo contest winners.
February Photo Contest Winners Announced
Congratulations to our February 2017 photo contest winners. These winning photos will be be used on our website, and each entrant will receive a Murray McMurray Gift Certificate. We received over 675 entries in this photo contest — thank you to everyone who entered!...
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2026 season!