McMurray Hatchery Blog

Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other Poultry

4-H and Fair Champions Flock to McMurray Hatchery

Since our inception, McMurray Hatchery has supported 4-H and FFA members and clubs, as well as a host of other agricultural organizations, across the U.S.A. — from shows highlighting rare breeds to broiler projects, automatic feeder inventions, and even livestock...

5 Reasons to Raise Waterfowl

I have been known to swim against the current, do things my way, and voice my reasons loudly. Not in a bossy way, but in a way that makes you wonder if you should have taken my advice. This rings true for my beliefs on intentional gardening, how and what I choose to...

Build Your Farm and Future: Raising a Sustainable Meat Flock

This article first appeared in the Fall 2022 issue of Homestead Living magazine. Whether you are a backyard hobbyist or a full scale homesteader, my guess is that you have at least flirted with the idea of raising your own meat chickens. Perhaps you are still in the...

Our Favorite Duck Breeds

In the fall as our chick season begins to slowly wind down, but duckling season is still in full swing! Next to chicks, ducklings are the next favorite among our customers and a common next step on the road to owning more birds and/or livestock. Ducks lay highly...

From the Experts: Chick Tips for New Chicken Owners

Are you thinking about keeping chickens? Is this your first time ordering day-old baby chicks? While baby chicks are cute and fluffy, it can also be stressful for first-timers. To help alleviate any fears or stress, we asked five experts for their top chick tips for...

Raising Guinea Fowl

There are many benefits to raising guinea fowl, and these crazy looking birds are ideal for almost every homestead with acreage. However, one must first learn how to properly care for guinea fowl before bringing them home. Raising Guinea Fowl Six years ago, I brought...
Why I Keep Production Layers

Why I Keep Production Layers

It's no secret that I love chickens. My job? Chicken related. My backyard? Full of chickens. My favorite topic of conversation? Yes, chickens. I love all the breeds, all the sizes, all the purposes, all the personalities. I am a true chicken lady at heart.  Before I...

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How to Make and Can Bone Broth

How to Make and Can Bone Broth

Whether homesteading on a property or living in the suburbs, bone broth or stock should be a staple in your pantry. As I meal plan for the week, it’s good to know that many of the food items I need for making meals consist of things I have preserved. The joy of making...

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Building Your Flock: McMurray’s Best Layers

Building Your Flock: McMurray’s Best Layers

As we begin our 2023 hatching season, the team here at McMurray is excited to share a new "Building Your Flock" blog series, designed to help you pick your perfect breeds as you peruse our catalog and website. In our first article of this series, we are focusing on...

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Gail Damerow Discusses How to Deworm Chickens

Gail Damerow Discusses How to Deworm Chickens

When and how to deworm chickens has become a controversial subject among backyard flock owners. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her recommendations on how to deworm chickens as a follow up to her...

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Winterize Your Chicken Coop With Janet Garman

Winterize Your Chicken Coop With Janet Garman

While some of you are already in the thick of cold weather, many of us are just hitting the point of closing the coop windows and fluffing up the straw for winter in the coop. Keeping chickens comfortable during winter weather is a top concern for new chicken owners,...

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McMurray Hatchery Profile: Wise Acre Farm

McMurray Hatchery Profile: Wise Acre Farm

Sonoma County, California is known for its famous vineyards and rolling hills. Just north of Santa Rosa lies Tiffany Holbrook’s urban 15-acre pastured egg farm. Aptly named Wise Acre Farm, Farmher Tiffany is wise beyond her years. She is a powerhouse: a wife, mother,...

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Tips for Moving With Chickens

Tips for Moving With Chickens

Over the summer, my husband I took a huge leap. We sold our house and moved our family to a new property. Though we are still very much in backyard suburbia, our new house sits on an acre, complete with several outbuildings and a garden. We had been dreaming of moving...

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Musings from the Road

Musings from the Road

I’ve been gone for work. That’s what my kids know. This was the busiest year we have had for traveling. This is both exciting and terrifying as well. I am a homebody. I want to be home with my family and dogs and chickens and cows. I want to do my chores and...

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Identifying Common Snakes in Chicken Coops

Identifying Common Snakes in Chicken Coops

There are a variety of snakes you may come across in your chicken coop, though some species may be more welcome than others. There are thousands of different species of snakes, each with unique adaptations. Learning more about them can be a rewarding endeavor for you...

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Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks

Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2023 season — always with FREE SHIPPING on all full orders of baby birds!