McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other PoultryAn Introduction to Peafowl
Peafowl (Peacocks and Peahens) are beautiful poultry, and many people raise them for their beauty. They are native to southeast Asia, including India. Peafowl have been bred for sale from the time of the Roman Empire. Although not many in this country would consider...
What Traits Should I Seek in a Broody Hen?
When selecting a broody hen, you want a hen that will be a good setter and a good mother. Our Facebook fans helped us come up with these lists of desirable traits and behaviors. A hen with good brooding, or setting traits ... is protective of her nest and eggs, is...
How to Care For Your Chickens Through the Winter
For tips and information about how to best care for your chickens through the winter, please see these articles on our blog: Keeping the Chicken Water from Freezing Preparing Your Laying Flock for Winter (Part 1) and Part 2 - this two part article covers temperature,...
Everybodys Poultry Magazine
I'm looking for old copies of this magazine. If you have some to share or that I could get copies of, please let me know. Thanks.
Is Cedar a Suitable Chicken Coop Building Material
There has been a lot of discussion lately about cedar and chickens. We have searched to find chicken and cedar studies by universities or other authorities but have been unable to find any. For years our literature has recommended not using cedar chips as bedding, as...
Winners for the Homesteading Chores, Ideas, and Contraptions Photo Contest
First Place Rhonda Silva won first place with this photo of her duck ramp. As first place winner, Rhonda won a $100 gift certificate. Here is Rhonda's description of the ramp: Our Rouens needed a larger pool as they grew, and the new one had 18" high sides, making it...
Which Chicken Breeds Do You Recommend for Cold Climates?
Many of our breeds are well-suited for cold climates. Some of the most popular cold hardy breeds are listed below. Breeds that Lay Brown Eggs Rocks - Barred Rocks, Buff Rocks, White Rocks, Partridge Rocks, and Silver Penciled Rocks Wyandottes - Columbian...
Winners for the Poultry Open Class Photo Contest
First Place Beth Kleinsasser won first place with the photo below of chickens on a Fall morning. As first place winner, Beth has won a $100 gift certificate. The chickens in the photo are Black Stars, Red Stars, and a Rhode Island Red. Second Place Emily Green won...
Winners for the Female Poultry Photo Contest
First and Second Place Michael McLaughlin won first and second place. His first place photo is of a Buff Brahma hen. Michael received a $100 gift certificate as a first place prize. His second place photo is a Silver Laced Wyandotte hen. Michael received a $50 gift...
Winners for the Egg Photo Contest
We have really enjoyed seeing the amazing variety of photos in this contest. First Place Lisa Beth Steele won first place with her photo showing a pastel array of duck, Americauna, Cuckoo Marans, Australorp, and Buff eggs. As first place winner, Lisa wins a $100 gift...
Winners for the Male Poultry Photo Contest
First Place Jennifer May Bryant won first place with this photo of her Royal Palm Tom Turkey. As first place winner, Jennifer has won a $100 gift certificate. The turkey in the photo is about 2 years old and is one that Jennifer purchased from Murray McMurray...
Poultry Coop Photo Contest Winners
First Place The first place winner is Maria Beason. She won a $100 Murray McMurray Gift Certificate for her photo of "The Chicken Mansion." To see photos of the inside of Maria's chicken coop, along with more information about the coop, visit the link below: Chicken...
Chicken Coop Photos and Description from Maria Beason
Congratulations! Congratulations to Maria Beason for winning first place in the Poultry Housing Photo Contest, with her photo of "The Chicken Mansion." She won a $100 Murray McMurray Hatchery gift certificate. Size and Description of the Chicken Coop Maria's husband,...
Chicken Coop Photos and Description from Cindy Benkert
Congratulations! Congratulations to Cindy Benkert for winning second place in the McMurray Hatchery Poultry Coop Photo Contest. She won second place and a $50 Murray McMurray gift certificate. Here is Cindy's description of the coop: This chicken coop was built and...
Chicken Coop Photo and Description from Jennifer Gallus
Congratulations! Congratulations to Jennifer Gallus for winning third place in the McMurray Hatchery Poultry Coop Photo Contest. Jennifer won a $25 Murray McMurray Hatchery gift certificate. Here is Jennifer’s description of the coop: Our coop was handmade by my...
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2026 season!