McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other Poultry
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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,...
Coffee with the Chicken Ladies Breed Spotlight: Orpington
The Orpington is one of the best known breeds amongst chicken keepers both old and new. They’re a Heritage breed success story, and a very good option for brand new chicken ladies and men. The Orpington spent some time on the Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation...
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...
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...
Gail Damerow Discusses How to Prevent Worms in Chickens
A familiar issue for flock owners is the possibility that their chickens have worms. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her how chickens get worms and how to prevent worms in chickens. How commonly do...
Coffee With the Chicken Ladies Breed Spotlight: Andalusian
The Andalusian is a bird for the true chicken connoisseur. They are stunningly beautiful, outgoing and intelligent, curious and energetic, and zesty enough to keep you on your toes. This hardy Heritage breed is very good at several different jobs. They’re excellent...
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...
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...
Gail Damerow Discusses External Parasites in Chickens – Mites and Lice
When chickens scratch and peck at themselves excessively, you can be pretty sure they are being irritated by external parasites. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her for tips on dealing with external...
Coffee with the Chicken Ladies Breed Spotlight: Delaware
What are you looking for in a chicken? Are you looking for a friendly breed that is an excellent layer? A hardy, dual purpose homestead chicken? Pretty enough to be a show bird, and fancy enough for a chicken lady’s back yard? A good forager who will turn over your...
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2025 season — always with FREE SHIPPING on all full orders of baby birds!