The Coop with Meyer Hatchery is a place where we talk all things poultry, in hopes of inspiring crazy chicken keepers and educating future flock owners. Together we'll take a more in-depth look at poultry-related care and the questions we commonly hear.
Today we’re here to spread some holiday cheer! That’s right, whether you’re ready or not the holiday season is approaching. If you caught our episode 30 on things they don’t tell you about raising chickens, then you already know chicken-themed gifts are in your near future. So to help you and your family out, Meyer Hatchery has curated a Holiday Gift Guide. Whether you’re looking for something for a friend, family or your flock we have you covered.
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about boredom busters for your flock! Every chicken keeper wants their flock to be happy and healthy. If you’re experiencing changing temperatures, shortened hours of daylight, or just a schedule change where you can’t let your flock out as often, you may want to consider adding some activities to their coop. Bored chickens can lead to feather picking, bullying, cannibalism, and egg-eating. Curb those unwanted habits with these boredom buster ideas!
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about frostbite in your flock! If you live in an area with extreme winter temperatures, your flock may be at risk. Chickens are susceptible to frostbite on their combs, wattles, and toes. It’s important to choose breeds that are hardy in cold climates and take preventative measures. But rest assured, even the most prepared flock owner can get caught off guard when temperatures dip. Here are a few tips to help you deal with frostbite this season.
Today, we're discussing cold weather care as part of our A Year With Chickens Series. We dedicate one episode per month to this series, covering what to expect when raising a chicken in that particular month. For the month of November, we're taking a look at cold weather care. We’ll discuss everything you need to know about raising your flock in the coldest of seasons from proper ventilation to the myths of heat and more, to keep your flock comfortable and healthy. In this episode you'll: Learn ...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about winter feed! The cold is setting in and many of our northernmost states are already seeing snow. If this is your first time raising chickens, you may be caught off guard by just how much feed your flock will go through in the winter months. We’ve compiled a few tips to help you prepare in keeping your flock well-fed and healthy this winter season.
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk Trick or Treats for your flock during this spooky season! As you prepare for a frightful weekend trick or treating, we’ve compiled a few things you may want to stay clear of when it comes to treating your favorite flock members.
Today, I’m joined by industry leaders, Jenna Gregorich, Bird Health Programs Manager for the Ohio Poultry Association. OPA is a non-profit statewide trade organization that found its start in 1948 representing more than 600 Ohio egg, chicken and turkey farmers. You may be familiar with OPA through their Ohio Egg Marketing Program or Ohio Turkey Council as they work to exemplify the voice of hundreds of Ohio Poultry farmers. Together with Jenna, we better explain what the National Poultry Improve...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about hen pecking! Pecking is a normal chicken behavior that allows birds to explore their surroundings. But if your hens cross from curious to aggressive pecking, you may have a bigger issue on your hands. It’s important to identify the cause then make changes to ensure the well being of your flock.
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about heated waters! As the temperature continues to plummet it’s time to start thinking about your watering set-up. Frozen waterers, hoses, and thirsty birds can make for a miserable winter. However, with a little planning now, you can set yourself up for a successful season. Each waterer we discuss today will be linked in the show notes below!
Today, we're discussing predators as part of our A Year With Chickens Series. We dedicate one episode per month to this series, covering what to expect when raising a chicken in that particular month. For the month of October, we're taking a look at predators. We’ll discuss everything from what types of predators to watch for, how to identify them, and how to best protect your flock. In this episode you'll: Learn About The Most Common Predators Chickens Face How To Spot Signs To Help Identify Yo...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about the deep litter method! As winter approaches, you may be considering using deep litter, in your coop for waste management. If done properly, it can create less frequent coop cleanouts and fabulous compost, ready for your garden or flower beds. So how do you begin using the deep litter method?
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about the seasonal shift! The autumnal equinox has arrived, meaning fall has officially begun for the Northern Hemisphere. As the season shifts, the sun will begin to rise later and nightfall will approach sooner. Now is the time to layer up in a cozy sweater and hot mug of coffee for your morning chores. Most believe the fall foliage and amount of eggs your hens lay is due to the change in weather, a common misconception, it’s actually a result of the amount of...
This year we’ve seen a lot of new chicken keepers join the club. Now occasionally you can find me in emails and chats for Meyer Hatchery, and Jeff on the phones. If you’ve had the luxury to chat with us live, we may have warned you of a few of these items already. But just so we’re clear, here are 10 things they don’t tell you about raising chickens. Important Links: Friendliest Rooster - blog Chicken Health Handbook Nesting Box Garden - YouTube Boredem Busters - blog Chicken Poop Lip Balm Kitch...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment, to wake up and talk about Better Breakfast Day, happening September 26th! So how did this day come to be? Better Breakfast day originated, during WWI as the United States encouraged citizens, to eat a better breakfast. Then the Cereal Institute soon began promoting, Better Breakfast Month for the first time in September. With our counters overflowing with eggs, we can’t help but agree, that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. So what better way to ...
On The Coop today, you’ll hear how heritage breed conservation and your backyard flock play an important role in agricultural biodiversity with Senior Program Manager, Jeannette Beranger of the Livestock Conservancy. Now, “heritage” has become a popular word so we further explore how the Livestock Conservancy defines heritage, as well as some of the criteria they use to rank breeds on their conservation priority list. You can find this list linked below in the show notes, but we’ve also marked t...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about your aggressive rooster. Roosters were born to protect your flock. They are fearless when it comes to predators, but this can be intimidating to us humans. Getting flogged in the back of the legs while tending to your flock, takes the fun out of chicken keeping and can cause serious harm. So how do you handle an aggressive rooster and can they be tamed?
Hey everyone! Welcome back to The Coop with Meyer Hatchery - where we talk all things poultry in hopes of inspiring crazy chicken keepers and educating future flock owners. Each week we like to take a Meyer Moment to cover relevant happenings. Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about National Chicken Month! Over two decades ago, the National Chicken Council, came together with major chicken producers to promote chicken sales in September, resulting in September being National Chicken Month! To ce...
Today we’re discussing flying the coop as part of our A Year With Chickens Series. We dedicate one episode per month to this series, covering what to expect when raising a chicken in that particular month. For the month of September, we’re taking a look at all things outside of the coop now that your chicks have matured. We’ll discuss everything from how to free-range, to preparing for molt and how to literally keep your flock from flying the coop with wing trimming. In this episode you'll: Get ...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about your hen’s egg-eating habit! Chickens enjoy eating eggs just as much as we do. If you are finding broken or half-eaten eggs in your nesting boxes, it can be incredibly frustrating. Left unstopped, the destructive behavior of egg-eating can become harder to correct. So how do you break this bad habit? We’ll provide tips on preventing the habit from forming, and how to break an egg-eating hen.
Hey everyone! Welcome back to The Coop with Meyer Hatchery - where we talk all things poultry in hopes of educating crazy chicken keepers and inspiring future flock owners. I’m your host Kendra and today we have a special news alert. Recently, the United States Postal Service has been making headlines. Meyer Hatchery has released our official statement stemming from political and pandemic frustrations centered around shipping concerns in hopes of offering customers support and relieving fears. I...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about yellow egg yolks! Many people believe that eggs with dark yellow or sunset orange yolks, taste richer and are healthier for you. While there isn’t much scientific research available, that supports this theory, most of us can’t deny the fact that “fresh is best” when it comes to our eggs. Do you know, what it takes, to get those darker yolks?
Previously we covered poultry abnormalities and now it’s time to talk about eggshells. Have you ever wandered out to the coop for your daily collection, only to find a misshapen, soft, or just strange-looking egg? We’ll cover 16 of the most common eggshell abnormalities you may find from your backyard flock. In this episode you'll: Learn How An Eggshell is Produced Discover 16 Of The Most Common Eggshell Abnormalities Learn How To Correct The Cause Important Links: Egg Anatomy - blog post Oyster...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about your nesting boxes! With your hens laying regularly now and egg collection part of your routine, there are a few additions you can make to your nesting boxes to benefit you and your chickens!
On The Coop today, you’ll hear how an education in design and engineering, love of poultry, and an entrepreneurial spirit lead Hanns Paul and his Co-Founders to launch Omlet. Growing from coops to chicken keeping accessories and other pet supplies, Omlet products are now available in Europe, America, Australia, and New Zealand. So what happens when you take an age-old concept and totally re-imagine it? You get questioned and passed up at trade shows. That didn’t stop four college friends in thei...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment, to talk about how to break a broody hen. Broodiness is great if you’re wanting to hatch eggs. But if you’ve hit your chick limit, you may be faced with breaking your hen, of her broody behavior. Today we’re going to cover what broodiness looks like and how to stop it.
Today we’re taking a look at laying eggs, as part of our A Year With Chickens Series. We dedicate one episode per month to this series, covering what to expect when raising a chicken in that particular month. For the month of August, we're taking a look at how to prepare for when your flock begins laying eggs. We’ll discuss everything from how to tell your chicken is going to begin laying, to how to collect, clean, and store eggs. After making it through the brooding phase and coop integration, ...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about the moment you and your chickens have been waiting for….the annual Meyer Hatchery Catalog Cover Contest! Enter your best photos now to land the front cover of the Meyer Hatchery 2021 Poultry Catalog. Did you know Kendra not only is a podcast host but designed last year’s catalog? She’s back at it again this year and has a few insider tips for you!
Today we’re discussing ducks! We thought we would cover some of the basics about raising ducklings from brooding to the coop. Do you currently have ducks in your flock, or plan on adding them? In this episode you'll: Hear Kendra + Jeff's Duck Raising Experience Learn The Basics Of Raising Ducks Get Answers To Our Most Common Duckling Questions Important Links: Duck Breeds Waterfowl Brooding 101 - Help Desk Poultry Feed Guidelines - Help Desk Best Duck Breed For You - Blog Post Episode 7 - Poultr...
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about how to help your flock beat the heat! Across the country, we’re feeling the summer heat, and your birds are feeling it too. Today we’re going to cover how to keep your poultry safe while staying cool this summer season.
This minisode is a little bit different than traditional episodes, as we cover relevant happenings in and around Meyer Hatchery. Sometimes we also interview industry leaders, and today I’m excited to be joined by author Gail Damerow. Gail has been raising poultry for nearly five decades and writing about chickens since her first book came out in 1976. You may recognize the name from her well-loved books Storey’s Guide To Raising Chickens, The Chicken Health Handbook, her newest release What’s Ki...
