McMurray Hatchery Blog

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

Raising Turkeys for Beginners with Stacy Benjamin of 5R Farm

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. Heritage turkeys are very healthy and hardy as adults, but perhaps...

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...

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...

Coffee With The Chicken Ladies Breed Spotlight: Houdans

The quirky and beautiful Houdan is the kind of bird that the Chicken Ladies love. From their exuberant crest to their striking mottled feathers, you don’t have to be Cruella DeVil to appreciate how gorgeous these black and white chickens are. And their personalities?...

Are Autosexing Chickens and Sex Link Chickens the Same? Gail Damerow Explains

The terms "autosex chickens" and "sex link chickens" are often used mistakenly used interchangeably. Continuing our interview series with Gail Damerow, poultry expert and best-selling author, we ask her to explain the difference between autosex chickens and sex link...

2025 APA Certified Breeds

As part of our ongoing commitment to Standard bred poultry and preserving Heritage breeds, we are excited to share that  we have expanded our number of APA Certified flocks for the third year in a row. This season, certification has been renewed for our Buff,...
Preparing Your Winter Chicken Coop

Preparing Your Winter Chicken Coop

     Winter is here and I need to think about the things to do to start preparing my chicken coop and chickens for their winter chicken coop set up. Wait, what? I have a winter set up and check list for my chickens? Why yes, yes I do! And it might be something you...

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How to Make Money Off Your Chickens

How to Make Money Off Your Chickens

When my chicken addiction became strong, my husband gave me the stink eye. I quickly needed to find ways for my chickens to make me money! Raising chickens for meat, and learning about how to put up my chicken eggs for sale, were two of the main things I needed to...

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Winner Announced | Summer Photo Contest

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...

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Winners Announced: 100K Facebook Giveaway

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...

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Using Chickens and Geese in the Garden

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...

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Winners Announced | Spring Photo Contest

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 —...

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Raising Free-Range Poultry

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...

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Chicken Coop Ideas | Our Favorite Coops

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...

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Chicken School | Hatching Baby Chicks

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...

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How to Build a Quick and Easy Chicken Coop

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...

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Chicken Coop Necessities | 5 Must Have Items

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...

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Shop Day-Old Baby Chicks

Day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry now available for the 2026 season!