Today we’re talking about common brooding mistakes! It’s the first step to raising chicks, and one of the most crucial to ensure your flock has a healthy start. What is brooding? It’s a 6 week period in which you assist in raising your chicks by helping them regulate their body temperature. In short, you’re playing mother hen! While the basics of brooding are easy to understand there are small mistakes that could be detrimental. So today, we’re going to cover common brooding mistakes in hopes it...
Mar 26, 2021•14 min•Ep. 48
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about egg hatching myths. As many chicken breeds as there are in the world, there are just as many theories about hatching eggs. Hatching techniques can vary between incubator types and any experienced hatcher will tell you that every hatch experience is unique. For that, the promise of more eggs, and more females are usually the goal of any hatch. But with all of the information out there, it can be hard to determine what is actually true or just a myth.
Mar 23, 2021•4 min•Ep. 47
Today we’re talking about hatching eggs! Hatching eggs for the first time is always an exciting process, but with it comes many questions. From preparing your incubator to understanding the terminology you have a lot of learning ahead of you. To help, we’re going to guide you through 10 of the most common questions we receive regarding hatching eggs. In this episode you'll: Here Common Hatching Questions & Answers! Find Our Best Hatching Resources Important Links: Purchase Fertile Hatching E...
Mar 19, 2021•22 min•Ep. 47
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about blue genetics. Chicken genetics are truly fascinating and complex. You don’t have to be an experienced breeder or geneticist to know that chicken feathers are some of nature’s most beautiful handiwork. Blue is one most sought-after color of chickens here at Meyer Hatchery and for good reason.
Mar 16, 2021•4 min•Ep. 46
From Meyer Hatchery it’s The Coop - where we talk all things poultry in hopes of inspiring crazy chicken keepers and educating future flock owners. I’m your host Kendra and on the show today we’re talking about breeding traits! Sound boring? Well, keep listening, because we’ve brought in Meyer Hatchery’s Breed Flock Manager, Alex to share her expansive knowledge on how to select the best traits, along with answering some of the questions you asked on social media. This includes things like that ...
Mar 12, 2021•26 min•Ep. 46
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about preparing incubators for hatching. Hatching eggs is an awe-inspiring process as you create optimal conditions for life to develop and hatch. Mother hens instinctively know those optimal conditions, but education and experience are needed for us to successfully hatch. The very first step of incubation is, of course, an incubator!
Mar 09, 2021•4 min•Ep. 45
Today we’re taking a look at Broody Breeds, as part of our Best Of Series. We dedicate one episode per month to this series, covering the very best of each month's topic. For the month of March, we’re going to dive into the best breeds for brooding chicks. That’s right, some breeds are broodier than others, which can be a blessing or a curse depending on the goals of your flock. In this episode you'll: Discover The Broodiest of Breeds Learn How To Care For A Broody Hen Catch The Pros and Cons of...
Mar 05, 2021•12 min•Ep. 45
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about Meyer Hatchery’s Hatch-Along. Meyer Hatchery hosts an annual Hatch-Along in March, to share our knowledge of incubating and the joy of freshly hatched spring chicks! We also encourage you to join in on the fun and set eggs with us.
Mar 02, 2021•3 min•Ep. 44
Today we’re talking about the cost of raising chickens! It’s a common question we hear from new chicken keepers. First, you should know that chickens are probably one of the most inexpensive farm animals to keep, but that doesn’t mean they are cheap! Today, we’re going to go through the various options available to you as you start and add on to your flock. And later in the episode, we’ve even crunched some numbers for you! In this episode you'll: Discover Variables That Go Into The Cost of Rais...
Feb 26, 2021•34 min•Ep. 44
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about the United States Postal Service Embargo. An embargo is a government order that restricts commerce or the exchange of specific goods. These are usually created as a result of unfavorable political or economical circumstances. Last week a USPS Embargo was put into place restricting the transportation of live animals due to the winter storm that swept the nation. The Postal Service has since extended the suspension. We hope the embargo will be resolved this ...
Feb 23, 2021•3 min•Ep. 43
Today we’re talking about combs. No, not the kind you keep in your back pocket (is that still a thing?), we’re talking about chicken combs! Combs come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes but what exactly are they? As defined by the Chicken Encyclopedia by Gail Damerow - A comb is a fleshy crownlike protrusion on top of a chicken’s head, usually more prominent in males than females. Most breeds have bright red combs, however, Sumatras have purplish combs and Silkie combs are so dark they’re...
Feb 19, 2021•8 min•Ep. 43
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about waterfowl imprinting. If you have ever seen adorable ducklings following their mother in a perfect line, or a chick peeking from underneath its mother, you have witnessed the phenomenon of imprinting. Imprinting is the natural process of an animal becoming bonded to its caretaker. Whether this caretaker is its own species or not, is what makes imprinting so amazing.
Feb 16, 2021•3 min•Ep. 42
From Meyer Hatchery it’s The Coop - where we talk all things poultry in hopes of inspiring crazy chicken keepers and educating future flock owners. I’m your host Kendra and on the show today we’re talking to a gosling advocate and author who you may recognize from Instagram where she showcases restoring her 200-year-old farm while raising a flock of 17 geese in addition to chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, and sheep. Here to share her best advice is Kirsten Lie-Nielsen of Hostile Valley Living. Loca...
Feb 12, 2021•22 min•Ep. 42
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about red chicken breeds. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, today we will explore history and facts of some of the red breeds offered by Meyer Hatchery. Chicken colors range almost the full spectrum of the rainbow, but there is something quintessential about a red chicken.
Feb 09, 2021•4 min•Ep. 41
Today we’re taking a look at Poultry Pets, as part of our Best Of Series. We dedicate one episode per month to this series, covering the very best of each month's topic. For the month of February, we’re going to dive into the best poultry pets! With love in the air this month we thought we’d share about the “LOVE” of our poultry and how they’ve quickly become backyard pets for so many. In this episode you'll: Discover The Benefits of Keeping Poultry Pets Learn Tips for Raising Poultry as Pets Ca...
Feb 05, 2021•15 min•Ep. 41
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about raising tame chickens. Many folks get chickens with the idea of delicious fresh eggs but are soon charmed with their pet-like nature. Having docile and tame chickens is especially important for families with small children and those wanting chicken companionship. Here are our best tips for raising tame chickens!
Feb 02, 2021•4 min•Ep. 40
From Meyer Hatchery it’s The Coop - where we talk all things poultry in hopes of inspiring crazy chicken keepers and educating future flock owners. I’m your host Kendra and on the show today we’re talking to an expert farmher who you may recognize from Instagram where she shares posts and stories about her highland cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, and livestock guardian dogs. So how does one maintain keeping poultry amongst other animals in Colorado, known for its excessive snowfall, high altitude...
Jan 29, 2021•30 min•Ep. 40
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about January being National Soup Month. It’s the perfect time of year for soup, right after the bustling holiday season and just as the cold really starts to settle in. There’s nothing like a warm bowl of soup to find comfort in. Soups are not only great for warming you up, but they're often filled with nutrients, minerals, and fats. A bowl of soup can help replenish lost energy after shoveling snow, chopping wood, or caring for your flock. So what makes soup, ...
Jan 26, 2021•3 min•Ep. 39
Today we’re talking about your Flock Goals! That’s right. With a new year often comes new goals. For most people it may be weight loss, quitting a bad habit or getting organized. But for crazy chicken keepers, you may just find yourself setting some new flock goals! In this episode you'll: Discover Common Flock Goals Learn About Integrating New Flock Additions Catch Tips On Expanding Your Coop Important Links: Integrating New Chickens Colorful Egg Layers DIY Plans Shop Chickens! Also, don't forg...
Jan 22, 2021•21 min•Ep. 39
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about frozen eggs. Throughout the winter months, as temperatures continue to drop, you’ll also find your egg production reducing. Getting every last precious egg from the coop to the house is of importance. But what happens when your eggs start to freeze, or worse yet, crack?
Jan 19, 2021•4 min•Ep. 38
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about winter watering. In Meyer Moment episode 26 we talked about the various styles of heated waterers. But for first time flock owners navigating cold conditions or winter elements, you may still be struggling to water your flock. Here’s a few tips to help you this winter!
Jan 12, 2021•3 min•Ep. 37
Today we’re taking a look at Beginner Breeds, as part of our Best Of Series. We dedicate one episode per month to this series, covering the very best of each month's topic. For the month of January, we’re going to dive into the best breeds for those beginning their chicken keeping endeavor. But don’t worry poultry pros, we have something for everyone here, as we plan to also cover different poultry types if you're thinking of expanding your horizons beyond chickens. In this episode you'll: Disco...
Jan 08, 2021•13 min•Ep. 38
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about the parameters that define heat versus cold hardy breeds. It’s a question we often receive, as customers seek out the magic temperature that deems a breed hardy for their climate. However, you may be surprised to know, there is no hard number to follow, rather, a variety of characteristics to consider.
Jan 05, 2021•4 min•Ep. 36
From Meyer Hatchery it’s The Coop - where we talk all things poultry in hopes of inspiring crazy chicken keepers and educating future flock owners. I’m your host Kendra and on the show today we share a place where you can find expert instruction, friendly encouragement, and a welcoming group of people who are committed to helping you gain the know-how and problem-solving skills you’re seeking. Where does such a place exist? Surprising, on your bookshelf thanks to Storey Publishing. With a focus ...
Dec 18, 2020•28 min•Ep. 37
Let’s take a Meyer Moment, to take a look back. As the season winds down, we’ll be taking the holiday season off to enjoy time with family but also finish planning the 2021 podcast season. With that, we share some bloopers along with a look back at our first year on The Coop Podcast.
Dec 15, 2020•8 min•Ep. 35
Today we’re here to talk about what’s new for next year! Catalogs are starting to arrive in mailboxes across the United States, so we thought what better time to start revealing all the new and exciting changes happening at Meyer Hatchery for 2021. In this episode you'll: Experience Meyer Hatchery's 2021 Catalog Catch Meyer Hatchery's New Offerings Hear About Our New 2021 Breeds Important Links: Digital 2021 Catalog Frost White Legbar Mrs. Meyer’s Adopt Me Bargain Production Pack Steele Egger No...
Dec 11, 2020•10 min•Ep. 36
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about how to convince your spouse you need more chickens! For many of you listening, chickens may be on your urban backyard or homesteading wishlist, but how do you convince your spouse you need chickens and more of them?
Dec 08, 2020•4 min•Ep. 34
Today, we’ve reached the end 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 December, we're taking a look at year 2 and beyond. We’ll discuss everything you need to know about your chickens aging out after their first year, to selective traits for breeding and what flock replacement looks like. In this episode you'll: Learn About The Changes In An Aging Hen Experience...
Dec 04, 2020•10 min•Ep. 35
Let’s take a Meyer Moment, to talk about determining hatch rates! The new year is quickly approaching with new availability, so we thought we’d share how Meyer Hatchery determines the number of chicks for each hatch date.
Dec 01, 2020•3 min•Ep. 33
Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about Thanksgiving! November is a popular time to talk turkey. In addition to chickens and ducks, turkeys are a popular choice for backyard enthusiasts, homesteaders, and even large farming operations. Meyer Hatchery offers white and bronze broad-breasted turkeys along with a variety of heritage breeds from Bourbon Red to Royal Palm. To celebrate Thanksgiving in our own way, we’re sharing some fun facts you may not have known about this special holiday....
Nov 24, 2020•4 min•Ep. 32
