McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other PoultryDark Cornish
History Cornish, originally known as Indian Game, were developed in Cornwall, England in the 1800s by Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert from the Aseel, Old English Game, and Malay. The Dark Cornish was admitted to the Standard in 1893, and the White Cornish, developed from...
Using Electric Poultry Netting
One of my favorite tools for containing chickens and ducks is electric poultry netting. This type of fencing goes by several names, such as "electric poultry fence," "electroplastic netting", or "electric mesh netting". One of the things I like about it is that it is...
Naked Necks (Turkens)
History The exact origins of Naked Necks, or Turkens, is uncertain, but some archaeologists believe they originated in Malaysia and spread from there. The popular name, Turken, comes from the mistaken belief that it was a cross between a turkey and a chicken, but the...
Should I Feed My Chickens Oyster Shells?
If you have laying hens, we recommend that you give them ground oyster shells. It is best to do this "free choice" by putting the oyster shells in a separate container, so that the hens can take as much as they need. The eggshell for each egg that your hen lays is...
Buff Orpingtons
History The original Orpington, a Black Orpington, was developed by William Cook, from the village of Orpington, County of Kent, England in the 1880s. In 1886 he introduced the Black Orpington at the Chrystal Palace Poultry Show, and his pullet won the grand prize. To...
9 Things to Investigate if Your Hens Aren’t Laying Well
Here is a list of things that affect how well your hens lay eggs, along with suggestions for what you can do to ensure that they lay their best. 1. Lighting Now that Spring is approaching, and the days are getting longer, the hens in my home flock have started laying...
Wyandottes
History Wyandottes were developed in the United States in New York state. They get their name from a Native American tribe known as the Wyandots (or Wendats). The original Wyandotte was the Silver Laced Wynadotte, which was first accepted into the Standard of...
Book Review: Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens
With 40 years of experience raising dozens of different varieties of chickens on her family farm, Gail Damerow has skillfully compiled an easy to read, comprehensive guide for the family desiring to start their own backyard chicken raising experience as well as a...
Cochins
History Cochins arrived in England and the United States in 1845. Originally, Cochins were called Chinese Shanghai Fowl, after the district in China where they originated. Later the name was changed to "Cochin China" and finally shortened to "Cochin". The Cochin is...
7 Reasons To Raise Chickens
There are many good reasons to raise chickens: 1. Fresh Eggs There simply aren't any eggs fresher than those that you can get if you raise your own chickens. 2. High Quality Eggs and Meat When you raise your own chickens, you manage their food supply, water supply,...
Shatter Resistant Bulbs: A Potential Danger to Your Chickens
Shatter resistant or safety coated light bulbs are a potential source for toxic fumes that can be dangerous to your chickens and other poultry. There are a number of shatter resistant light bulbs on the market today. These include heat lamp bulbs, work lamp bulbs,...
Rare Breeds of Chickens
The American Livestock Breed Conservancy (ALBC) lists a number of rare chicken breeds. We carry many of those rare breeds at McMurray Hatchery — below is a list grouped by the ALBC status for each breed. Each listed breed contains a link to the appropriate page or...
7 Myths about Urban Chickens, Myths 4 – 7
by Patricia Foreman [This article is part of a series, to read the entire series, visit: 7 Myths about Urban Chickens.] Myth 4. Chickens Attract Predators, Pests & Rodents. Fact: Predators and rodents are already living in urban areas. Wild bird feeders, pet food,...
7 Myths About Urban Chickens, Myths 2 and 3
by Patricia Foreman [This is the second in a series of articles. To see the first article in this series, visit 7 Myths About Urban Chickens.] Myth 2. Chickens are too Noisy. Fact: laying hens — at their loudest — have about the same decibel level as human...
7 Myths About Urban Chickens
by Patricia Foreman The local foods movement is not only gaining ground, it is here to stay; and that includes family flocks of chickens. Chickens are the mascots of local foods because of the many talents and skill sets they innately bring to small scale food...
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2026 season!