McMurray Hatchery: A Comprehensive Guide to Poultry Breeding and Supply

Introduction

McMurray Hatchery is a renowned poultry hatchery established in 1917. For over a century, McMurray has provided premium-quality poultry, hatching eggs, and breeding stock to hobbyists, farmers, and researchers worldwide. This article delves into the comprehensive services and resources offered by McMurray Hatchery, exploring their extensive poultry catalog, breeding expertise, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

McMurray Hatchery's Poultry Catalog

McMurray Hatchery offers an unparalleled selection of poultry breeds, including over 150 chicken varieties, 50 duck breeds, 30 geese breeds, 25 turkey breeds, and a wide range of game birds and ornamental fowl.

Chickens

McMurray Hatchery's chicken catalog features a diverse array of breeds, from popular backyard favorites like Barred Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds to rare and endangered heritage breeds such as Silver Wyandottes and Dominiques. These breeds are specifically chosen for their desirable traits, including egg production, meat quality, hardiness, and ornamental value.

Ducks

With over 50 duck breeds available, McMurray Hatchery caters to waterfowl enthusiasts of all levels. Their selection includes egg-laying breeds such as Khaki Campbells and Pekins, as well as meat breeds like Muscovies and Aylesburys. Ornamental duck breeds, such as Mandarins and Wood Ducks, add a splash of color and beauty to any backyard pond.

Geese

McMurray Hatchery offers an extensive range of geese breeds, from the popular Embden and Toulouse breeds known for their size and meat production to smaller breeds like Sebastopols and Chinese Geese, prized for their ornamental feathers.

Turkeys

As the leading supplier of heritage turkey breeds, McMurray Hatchery ensures the preservation of traditional turkey varieties. Their catalog includes Bourbon Reds, Narragansetts, and Royal Palm turkeys, known for their excellent flavor and historical significance.

Game Birds and Ornamental Fowl

For those interested in raising game birds or exhibiting poultry at shows, McMurray Hatchery offers a wide variety of breeds, including pheasants, quail, peafowl, and ornamental bantam chickens.

Breeding Expertise

McMurray Hatchery's commitment to preserving poultry breeds is evident in their breeding program. They maintain a breeding flock of over 1,000 birds, ensuring the genetic diversity and purity of their stock. Their rigorous breeding practices have resulted in several awards and recognitions, including the American Poultry Association's Master Breeder Award.

Hatching Eggs

McMurray Hatchery supplies high-quality hatching eggs from their carefully selected breeding stock. Their eggs are carefully gathered, inspected, and packed for optimal hatchability. Customers can choose from a variety of breeds and quantities, ranging from small orders for backyard flocks to large orders for commercial ventures.

Breeding Stock

For seasoned poultry breeders looking to enhance their flock, McMurray Hatchery offers exceptional breeding stock, including pullets, cockerels, and trios. These birds are guaranteed to meet specific breed standards and can be used to improve the performance and quality of any poultry operation.

Customer Satisfaction

McMurray Hatchery is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Their knowledgeable staff is always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and ensure that customers receive the highest quality birds and supplies. Additionally, McMurray Hatchery offers a satisfaction guarantee, ensuring that customers are completely satisfied with their purchase.

Live Arrival Guarantee

McMurray Hatchery offers a 100% live arrival guarantee on all chicks and ducklings. This guarantee provides customers with the peace of mind that their birds will arrive safely at their destination.

Health Guarantee

All of McMurray Hatchery's birds are NPIP-certified, ensuring they are free from avian influenza and other infectious diseases. They also adhere to strict biosecurity protocols to maintain the health and well-being of their flocks.

Customer Reviews

McMurray Hatchery has earned a reputation for excellence among poultry enthusiasts. Their positive customer reviews consistently highlight the quality of their birds, the exceptional customer service, and the overall value provided.

Effective Strategies for Raising Poultry

McMurray Hatchery shares their extensive knowledge and experience by providing valuable resources on poultry care and management. Their website and printed catalogs feature comprehensive guides on topics such as:

• Housing and Equipment: The importance of proper housing, ventilation, and equipment for poultry health and productivity.

• Nutrition and Feeding: Understanding poultry nutritional requirements and feeding practices for optimal growth and development.

• Health Care: Preventing and treating common poultry diseases and ensuring the overall well-being of birds.

• Egg Production: Maximizing egg production and improving egg quality through proper management practices.

• Meat Production: Raising poultry for meat production, including breed selection, feeding strategies, and processing techniques.

How to Get Started with McMurray Hatchery

Getting started with McMurray Hatchery is easy and convenient. Their website, www.mcmurrayhatchery.com, provides detailed information on their products and services. Customers can browse the online catalog, place orders, and receive updates on new breeds and promotions.

Step-by-Step Approach

1. Choose Your Poultry Breed: Visit the McMurray Hatchery website to explore the extensive catalog and select the breed that best meets your needs and interests.

2. Order Hatching Eggs or Breeding Stock: Select the desired quantity and breed of hatching eggs or breeding stock and place your order online or over the phone.

3. Set Up Your Poultry Housing: Prepare your poultry housing with adequate space, ventilation, and equipment before the chicks or birds arrive.

4. Receive Your Order: McMurray Hatchery ships orders promptly, and customers can expect their chicks or birds to arrive within 1-3 days.

5. Care for Your Poultry: Follow the care and management practices recommended by McMurray Hatchery to ensure the health and productivity of your poultry.

Stories and Lessons Learned

Story 1: The Backyard Flock

A family decided to raise a small flock of chickens in their backyard for fresh eggs and a fun learning experience. They purchased a variety of breeds from McMurray Hatchery, including Rhode Island Reds, Black Australorps, and Plymouth Rocks. The chickens quickly became a part of the family, providing endless entertainment and a steady supply of farm-fresh eggs.

Lesson Learned:

Raising a backyard flock can be a rewarding experience, offering fresh, nutritious food and fostering a connection with nature.

Story 2: The Poultry Farming Operation

A poultry farmer embarked on a large-scale operation, raising thousands of turkeys for meat production. He chose heritage breeds from McMurray Hatchery, known for their excellent flavor and resilience. By implementing sound management practices and utilizing the resources provided by McMurray Hatchery, the farmer achieved a thriving poultry operation, supplying high-quality turkey meat to local markets.

Lesson Learned:

Commercial poultry farming requires a combination of high-performance breeds, sound management practices, and access to reliable resources to ensure success.

Story 3: The Rare Breed Preservationist

A poultry enthusiast dedicated themselves to preserving a rare and endangered breed of chickens. They purchased breeding stock from McMurray Hatchery and established a breeding program focused on maintaining the breed's unique characteristics. Through their efforts, the breed's population grew, ensuring its survival for future generations.

Lesson Learned:

Preserving rare poultry breeds plays a vital role in maintaining genetic diversity and safeguarding the heritage of these valuable animals.

Call to Action

Whether you are a beginner looking to start a backyard flock or an experienced poultry breeder seeking to enhance your operation, McMurray Hatchery is your trusted partner in all things poultry. Visit their website at www.mcmurrayhatchery.com today to explore their extensive catalog, access valuable resources, and experience the exceptional quality and service that has made McMurray Hatchery the leading poultry hatchery for over a century.

Table 1: McMurray Hatchery Poultry Catalog Summary

Table 2: McMurray Hatchery Health Standards

Table 3: McMurray Hatchery Shipping Guarantees