The Coop with Meyer Hatchery

Today we're talking about day-old chicks vs started pullets! When browsing for new flock additions, most chicken keepers are on the hunt for specific breeds but are stopped in their tracks when they see the breed they want is offered as a day-old chick or started pullet. If you’ve been listening to the Coop Podcast for any length of time, then you likely already know what we’re going to say n...

Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about heritage versus hybrid. As you begin your search for new flock additions you may come across terminology such as heritage and hybrid, but what’s the difference? And most importantly what’s best for you?

Today we’re talking about egg anatomy! Did you know there are 8 parts to an egg? The fact that chickens lay eggs is fascinating, but just the egg itself is incredible! For those raising backyard chickens for the first time, you may be taking a more vested interest, in just how different your eggs are compared to those in the grocery store. Today we’re taking you back to 8th-grade science class wit...

Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about storing eggs. Spring has sprung for many chicken owners and you may be noticing an increase in egg production. Eggs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner become part of your weekly menu, but as we all know, you can only eat so many eggs. So how do you store the abundance of eggs your flock is producing?  

Today we’re taking a look at Egg Laying 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 April, we’re going to dive into the best breeds for egg-laying. Egg production varies drastically between breeds and even poultry types. If you’re looking for eggs for your family, market or to bake up s...

Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about single hatchlings. There are many factors that can affect the outcome of a hatch and there may be a time when there is only a single hatchling. Poultry is known for its flock tendencies. So in the best interest of a lone bird, there are some special considerations for their health and happiness. 

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 mis...

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...

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 Hatc...

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. 

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,...

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! 

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 epis...

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. 

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 cru...

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 nati...

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 bree...

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...

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, g...

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. 

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 th...

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!

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 mainta...

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...

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 C...