McMurray Hatchery Blog
Hatchery News, Updates and Information on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Other Poultry
Winner Announced | Summer Photo Contest
2020 Summer Photo Contest Winner! Congratulations Rebecca Reynolds — the winner in our 2020 Summer Photo Contest. Pictured here are four of her beautiful photo entries. As a winner, Rebecca will receive a $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE to McMurray Hatchery. All photos in this...
McMurray Hatchery Customers Round-Up to Support 4-H
For generations, McMurray Hatchery has been an avid supporter of poultry education — including vital programs such as 4-H group and individual poultry projects throughout the U.S.A. Over the past six months, our customers have had the opportunity to round-up when...
Winners Announced: 100K Facebook Giveaway
In June, we passed 100,000 likes and followers on our McMurray Hatchery Facebook page! To celebrate this milestone, and to thank our followers, we held a 10-day 100K Giveaway, with daily prizes ranging from free t-shirts to free chicks. Congratulations to these...
Using Chickens and Geese in the Garden
Chickens and geese aren’t just a great homestead food source. You can start using chickens and geese in the garden to help you create a bountiful harvest each year! And, if you’ve ever wanted to start raising geese, this is a great excuse for you to dive right in this...
Winners Announced | Spring Photo Contest
Congratulations to these winners in the 2020 Spring is in the Air photo contest! These winning photos will be used on our website, and in our marketing materials. The following winners will each receive a $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE to McMurray Hatchery: RHODE ISLAND RED —...
Raising Free-Range Poultry
The benefits of free-range poultry are great. The process creates a healthier bird, meat, and egg product. To make the process enjoyable and less stressful for the poultry keeper, poultry learn the best techniques on how to free-range poultry successfully. Is there...
Chicken Coop Ideas | Our Favorite Coops
Chicken coops come in as many shapes and sizes as there are breeds of chickens. As popularity for keeping chickens has risen over the past decade, chicken coops now range from those built purely for function, to a custom dream home for backyard flocks with white glove...
Chicken School | Hatching Baby Chicks
Last month when schools closed across the country and the kids were suddenly needing some educational activities to keep them busy, we began Chicken School in our home. If you caught our first blog in this series, Chicken School, Homeschool Learning Ideas, you know we...
How to Build a Quick and Easy Chicken Coop
An easy chicken coop. Is there even such a thing? With the plethora of chicken coop plans that are out there, sometimes we just want something simple and easy. A DIY chicken coop is even better especially if you’re on a budget. Make it a chicken tractor, and we’ve got...
Chicken Coop Necessities | 5 Must Have Items
Chicken coop necessities you will want for raising chickens. Building a chicken coop consists of utilizing recycled materials for items such as nesting boxes, roosting bars, and drop pans. This beginner's guide to chicken coops provides you the necessary information...
Chicken School | Homeschool Learning Ideas
The saying goes, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." For many families across the nation, that saying has become a personal mantra as they hunker down to avoid the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Schools here in Iowa have closed for at least a month, and...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Poultry Biosecurity
We have received many calls regarding the COVID-19 virus and its relationship to poultry and poultry products. McMurray Hatchery is in contact with our state veterinarians and federal and state poultry authorities and continues to monitor the situation. At this time...
Selecting the Best Chicken Breeds for Your Homestead
When you’ve finally made the decision to add chickens to your homestead, you might find you need some help selecting the best chicken breeds. There are so many poultry breeds to choose from in the wonderful world of chickens. From laying hens and meat chickens, to...
Raising Chickens with Ducks
Raising chickens with ducks is achievable and ideal for those with limited space. When building a chicken coop make sure to plan the space accordingly for both species. Also, chickens and ducks can consume the same type of poultry feed, herbs, and natural supplements....
Homestead Living | Starting a Homestead
Homesteading for beginners, learn the tips and tricks for the first year of homestead living. Establish a mini farm growing food and raising livestock, and quickly find your homesteading community. A good tribe of people are worth their weight in gold. The dream is...
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!