McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other Poultry
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...
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...
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...
From the Experts: Chick Tips for New Chicken Owners
Are you thinking about keeping chickens? Is this your first time ordering day-old baby chicks? While baby chicks are cute and fluffy, it can also be stressful for first-timers. To help alleviate any fears or stress, we asked five experts for their top chick tips for...
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....
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...
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....
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...
Gail Damerow Discusses Marek’s Disease
Marek’s disease is a common and contagious illness that affects domestic chickens worldwide. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her for details about Marek’s disease. What Is Marek’s disease? "Marek’s...
Top 10 Reasons to Keep Coturnix Quail
While many say that chickens are the gateway animal for homesteading, Coturnix quail are the birds that opened my eyes to the joy of backyard animal husbandry. I first learned about this breed of quail from my aunt and uncle, who kept a small covey as layers, and...
How to Brood and Raise Turkey Poults
Are you interested in knowing more about how to brood and raise turkey poults? If you are interested in raising turkeys on your homestead or farm, you will want to know the best tips for raising strong, healthy poults. Turkeys can be both a sustainable meat solution...
Gail Damerow Discusses Health Considerations for Meat Chickens
Chicken breeds raised for meat often develop health issues that are less common among other breeds. Continuing our interview series with poultry expert and best-selling author, Gail Damerow, we ask her about special health considerations when raising chickens for...
Comparing Heritage and Production Turkeys
Now that you know a bit more about the differences between Heritage and production turkey varieties, the fun part begins! Whether you are working on a small backyard parcel or a large homestead with acreage, deciding which types of animals to raise is always an...
Gail Damerow Discusses Poultry Predator Prevention
Anyone who keeps chickens or other poultry quickly discovers that all kinds of predators are intent on having their birds for dinner. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author of What’s Killing My Chickens?, we ask for...
Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks
Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2026 season!