McMurray Hatchery Blog

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

Raising Backyard Ducklings

When we moved to our new house, I knew that I wanted to bring home some baby ducklings as soon as we were set up for them. I have always loved ducks. As an avid baker who prizes their eggs, I've dreamed of having my own small flock of layers for years. Because I am...

5 Reasons to Raise Waterfowl

I have been known to swim against the current, do things my way, and voice my reasons why 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...

Gail Damerow Discusses Health Concerns for Ducks

Ducks hardly ever get sick and rarely suffer from the same body parasites as chickens. But ducks do occasionally experience health issues. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her to discuss health concerns...

What do Ducklings Eat?

Baby ducks are cuter than a bug’s ear, but what should ducklings eat? There are many commercial products available that will meet the nutritional needs of ducklings. However, you must also take into consideration how to support optimal bone growth in your baby ducks...

Coffee with the Chicken Ladies Breed Spotlight: Plymouth Rock

The Plymouth Rock chicken is one of the most popular breeds in the US, and they have a strong following in the rest of the world as well. They’re a beautiful dual-purpose breed that is as much at home on a small farm as they are on the show table. The name, Plymouth...

Gail Damerow Discusses How to Treat and Prevent Frostbite

When winter weather turns cold, chickens can suffer from frostbite. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her for recommendations on how to treat and prevent frostbite in chickens. How does frostbite occur?...

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...

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...

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...
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...

read more
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...

read more
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...

read more
Our Favorite Duck Breeds

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...

read more
Brooding Backyard Chicks in the Summer

Brooding Backyard Chicks in the Summer

I raised my first batch of chicks in the dead of winter, and looking back, it was not one of my best ideas. I’m sure that early season chicks are a phenomenal option for those living in more temperate climates, but in eastern Washington, we get a lot of snow for far...

read more
Gail Damerow Discusses Egg Eating in Chickens

Gail Damerow Discusses Egg Eating in Chickens

A common but frustrating issue faced by many chicken flock owners is hens that eat their own eggs. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her for tips on how to prevent or stop hens from eating their own eggs....

read more
Meat Bird Roundup

Meat Bird Roundup

Now more than ever, families across the nation are looking to grow and raise more of their own food. Inflation, supply chain issues, and a desire to live a more intentional and sustainable life with less dependency on commercial sources for food have led to an...

read more
Introducing The Marketplace from McMurray Hatchery

Introducing The Marketplace from McMurray Hatchery

At Murray McMurray Hatchery, we are committed to helping our customers create a more sustainable lifestyle. By opening the McMurray Marketplace, we hope to connect members of our community and help those who are raising our birds for revenue to increase their profits....

read more
Best Fowl for Gardens

Best Fowl for Gardens

Picture this…You plant your garden seeds and starts right on time. You have a brigade full of the best fowl for gardens, and they do a fantastic job of making your life easier as a gardener. The ducks and geese are thorough weeders, and they love to make a meal of all...

read more

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!