McMurray Hatchery Blog

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

Translating Fowl Language – Gail Damerow Offers Tips

Chickens make a variety of different sounds while engaging in specific activities. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her for tips that might help us in translating this fowl language. Do the sounds...
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Falling in Love With Backyard Geese

  I grew up in a family of bird lovers. From hunting to bird watching, filling humming bird feeders and listening for birdsong over coffee, birds have always been a huge part of my life. Geese have long been a favorite of mine; I love listening to their calls and...
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Turkey Housing Options

Turkeys instinctively want to roost up high with a good view of their surroundings. They often prefer to sleep out in the open and tend not to like sleeping in enclosed spaces. If you design a turkey shelter with their preferences in mind, you’ll have a better chance...
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Pecking Order in Chickens with Gail Damerow

Many beginning flock keepers are surprised and dismayed when they discover that chickens peck each other while establishing their social hierarchy. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her to explain the...
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What to Expect When Raising Turkeys

One of the most common reasons people raise turkeys is to provide a holiday centerpiece or a nutritious source of meat for the freezer, but there is so much more to turkeys than simply providing a meal. Turkeys are incredibly charismatic birds that are enjoyable to...
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Using Broody Hens With Gail Damerow

One way to increase your backyard chicken flock is by using broody hens. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her about using broody hens to hatch and raise baby chicks.  What are the advantages of using...
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Top Tips for New Chicken Keepers with Gail Damerow

Every chicken keeper has a list of “things I wish I’d known” before getting those first chickens. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask for her top tips for new chicken keepers.  What is your top tip for...
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Raising Turkeys for Beginners

Raising baby turkeys, also called poults, can feel intimidating for beginners. There are a few important differences to be aware of when raising turkey poults as compared to raising chicks (baby chickens). Heritage turkeys are very healthy and hardy as adults, however...
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The Pros and Cons of Keeping a Rooster With Gail Damerow

Whether or not to keep a rooster in the flock can be a challenging decision for first-time chicken owners. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her to discuss the pros and cons of keeping a rooster. What is...
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How to Brood Guinea Keets With Gail Damerow

Most poultry keepers know how to raise chicks in a brooder. But brooding guinea keets is a little different from brooding chicks. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her to explain how to brood guinea...
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Molting Chickens

by | Jun 30, 2010

Molting is a natural process that chickens go through yearly to renew their feathers. When molting, chickens gradually lose their old feathers and replace them by growing new features.  Molting can take anywhere from two to six months to complete. When a hen is...

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How To Keep Your Chickens Safe, Part 1

by | Jun 25, 2010

In a recent survey, the number one concern was “How do I keep my chickens safe?” In this blog post, learn some tips from our team on how to protect your flock and keep your chickens safe. Chickens are vulnerable at all hours of the day and night. Some of the most...

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Pearl White Leghorns

by | Jun 22, 2010

The White Leghorn originated in Tuscany, Italy (see map below) and is considered a Mediterranean breed. White Leghorns were brought to America in 1853 by ship.  Mr. W. Simpson, of West Farms, New York (now a part of New York City) claims to be the first person in America to breed the White Leghorn.

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Why Raise Chickens?

by | Jun 2, 2010

Raising chickens, like gardening and many other homesteading activities allow us to participate in something that supports and sustains life.  Food is, obviously, essential to life, and ….

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Water for Baby Chicks

Water for Baby Chicks

by | May 27, 2010

Water is essential for any living thing. When starting baby chicks, or any animal, providing water and food are the most important things to ensure their survival. Here are a few tips regarding that will help you get your new baby chicks off to a good start. Tap water...

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