McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other PoultryHow 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...
2014 Fall Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to our 2014 Spring into Fall Photo Contest Winners! ...
2014 Spring into Fall Photo Contest – Semi Finalists Announced!
I love having photo contests as we get to see all of the beautiful birds that are raised with wonderful love and care. Many of the birds showcased left our hatchery as newly hatched chicks and have since been providing loving memories, funny antics and so much more...
October is here!
Welcome to the first day of October...now it is really Fall in my mind! Today marks the opening day of pumpkin doughnuts at the local bakery. Bring on the pumpkin spice coffee, straw bales and corn stalk decorations and much more!
Mold in the Feed
I didn't know what was happening until I saw the mold in the feed bag - by then it was too late. Unfortunately what I had to endure this week was nothing we had encountered on our little patch of heaven yet. As I looked down at the snow covered feed, I couldn't help...
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2026 season!