McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other PoultryHow Much Roost Space Do My Chickens Need?
Roost space depends largely on the size of your chickens -- how tall, wide and long they are, from beak to tail. There are several considerations that affect how to position the roost and how much space to provide. If a roost is too close to the wall, the chickens...
How Often Should I Worm My Chickens?
For most backyard flock owners, we don't recommend worming on a regular schedule without first having your flock tested for worms. The test involves a fecal sample, which can be done by a local vet. It will tell you whether or not your chickens have a problem with...
Which of My Hens Are Laying?
As you raise laying hens, it becomes obvious over time that some hens are more productive than others. Some breeds are better layers, but even from hen to hen within a breed, productivity will vary due to differences in length and timing of molt, health, nutrition,...
Delaware Chickens
History Delawares are a relatively recent breed. They were developed in 1940 from a cross between New Hampshire Red hens and Plymouth Rock roosters. Occasionally, the cross would produce an off-colored sport, and those were used as parent stock for the Delaware....
How Soon Will My Hens Start to Lay?
Because so many variables are involved, we cannot predict exactly when your chickens will start to lay, but we can give some estimates. Pearl White Leghorns are our earliest layers and can start to lay as early as 4 1/2 to 5 months as can Red Stars and Black Stars....
Silkies
History Silkies are a unique breed of chicken, thought to have originated in China or Southeast Asia. The first recorded history of Silkies occurs in Marco Polo's writings about his travels to Asia in the 13th century, in which he describes chickens with fur-like...
No Cause for Alarm — It’s Just a Dust Bath
He lays on one side, flopping in the dirt, with one wing slightly outstretched, flicking one leg rapidly up and down. He rolls over onto his back, kicks and writhes in the dirt. At first glance, it may seem like something is wrong with this chicken. Is there? No. He's...
Our Best Egg Laying Chickens
Below is a list of our top egg laying chickens. 1. Pearl White Leghorns These are excellent layers of large, white eggs. Pearl White Leghorns are our most prolific layers. They also have an excellent feed conversion ratio, which helps to keep down the feed costs...
Brooding Day Old Chicks
Introduction There are several different ways to begin raising chickens. If you want hens that will begin producing eggs very soon, you can start with started pullets. If you aren't in as much of a hurry and want to take part in raising them to laying age yourself,...
Barred Rocks
History Barred rocks were developed in New England in the 1800s. The Barred Rock entered the standard in 1874. The exact heritage of the Barred Rock is slightly unclear, as several people have claimed credit for developing the breed. Barred Rocks appear to have been...
2015 Winter Chickens Photo Contest Winners
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Merry Christmas – Happy New Year!
We certainly hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and we look forward to another wonderful New Year! Don't forget to start your Murray McMurray Hatchery online wish list so you can plan appropriately for 2015!
The Masters Cup Poultry Show
The weekend of November 21st through 23rd, 2014 was one that will be remembered by many as the start of what generations ahead will read about with curiosity and appreciation. What started as a vision from event producer, Bart Pals, to the fruition of the event being...
Which Turkey to Choose
A question recently asked on the Murray McMurray Hatchery facebook page was this, "I have never raised turkeys before, what is the best breed for me?" While this question certainly can generate many valid opinions, it is almost too difficult of a question to answer...
Catalog Time
Catalog time is here again! Actually, it has been here for several months but now we are at the stage where final decisions need to made and the final blessings are put on the various pages. It is always a fun process but certainly brings with it some frustration as...
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2025 season — always with FREE SHIPPING on all full orders of baby birds!