The Coop with Meyer Hatchery

Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about our newest chick release, a Lisa Steele Exclusive! Meyer Hatchery is proud to once again partner with our friend and fellow chicken enthusiast, Lisa Steele, to bring you Cookies and Cream Day-Old Chicks!

Resources:

NEW! Cookies and Cream Chicks

Steele Eggers

Lisa Steele’s Favorites

EP46: Breeding Traits

There was a brief pause in our podcast production as we traveled 8 hours to Columbia Tennessee to attend the first “Learn How to Homestead In a Weekend" event put on by Homesteaders of America. Over 300 people attended this 2-day event at Rory Feek's homestead, full of presentations, hands-on demos, and a family-like homesteading atmosphere. In today's episode, we compiled the top questions we received and answered them for our entire community to learn from!

In this episode you'll: 

• Discover Answers To Common Chicken-Keeping Questions
• Hear Kendra + Jeff's Experience at Homesteaders of America
• Catch Some of Our Favorite Resources

Important Links:

• Chicken Tractor Plans - Instant Download!
• EP09: Chicken Tractors - podcast
• Cornish Cross Broilers
• Rainbow Rangers
• EP38: Best for Beginners - podcast
• Nite Guard Repellent Tape
• Integrating Chickens - blog
• Chicken Health Handbook - book
• EP22: Gail Damerow Interview - podcast
• Butchering - book
• EP11 & EP12: Adam Danforth Interview - podcast
• Homesteaders of America Conference October 8th & 9th

Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about Spring Predators. The leaves are unfolding, it’s Springtime!  As the temperatures rise and the ground thaws, your chickens are grateful to feel the sunshine on their feathers. While the changes brought about by Spring are welcome, this change in environment can also cause flocks to become prey to hungry Springtime predators. 

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 sharing the story of how one chicken keeper’s life changed by an upgrade in their coop set-up. We talk all the time about how chicken keeping is a good lesson in responsibility, and really can be a journey!

From little peeps to farm fresh eggs, here to share her experience is Suellen Purdum of Texas. Predator issues and eventually the advice from her daughter led her to look at a new coop set-up. Now, Suellen is the proud owner of not 1, or 2 but 5 Omlet Chicken Coops and is an ambassador for their products. 

So how does one person end up with so many Omlet coops? Well, like so many of our customers, Suellen began her chicken-keeping experience 15 years ago with the encouragement of her children. On a regular vet visit for their horses, little did Suellen know she was leaving with so much more…

Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about favorite chicken names. Some pets seem to easily earn their name, by showcasing their personality and other times we need some inspiration. Naming pets goes as far back as ancient times. Revered dogs can be found in ancient mythology and early Egyptians believed cats had magical powers. Domestic chickens go as far back as 2000 BC, so it is pretty safe to assume that chickens have earned pet names since then.  

Today we’re sharing 10 lessons learned from having a backyard flock! Ask any chicken keeper and they’ll tell you a thing or two their chickens have taught them. That’s right, the idea of raising chicks vs reality can be a bit different than you may have imagined. And so, to help new chicken keepers prepare and in hopes of giving you seasoned pros a laugh, we’ve rounded up 10 lessons learned from keeping a backyard flock. 

In this episode you'll: 

• Discover 10 Lessons Learned  
• Hear Kendra + Jeff Share Their Stories
• Be Better Prepared For Your Flock (Or Laugh Along With Us)

Important Links:

• What’s Killing My Chickens by Gail Damerow 
• Chicken Tractor Plans
• Shop Day-Old Chicks

Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about calcium and its importance for poultry. Calcium is an essential mineral for all growing beings but for your birds, it is a key component of eggshells. There are many sources of calcium for your flock, some obvious and some not so obvious. Today, we’ll summarize how to deliver this vital nutrient to your flock. 

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 next. 

The choice between day-old chicks and started pullets all depends on you, your flock, and your flock goals! There are many advantages and disadvantages to both and today, we’re here to share them with you in hopes of helping you grow a successful flock. 

In this episode you'll: 

• Learn The Advantages & Disadvantages of Day-Old Chicks VS Started Pullets
• Hear Real Life Scenarios For Each Option
• Discover New Options For Your Flock

Important Links:

• EP44: The Cost of Raising Chickens
• Shop Day-Old Chicks
• Shop Started Pullets
• Meyer Hatchery Started Pullet Vaccination Program
  
  
  

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 with egg anatomy! 

In this episode you'll: 

• Learn The 8 Parts To An Egg
• Catch Common Egg Oddities
• Discover New Facts About Your Eggs

Important Links:

• Egg Anatomy - blog
• Egg Anatomy Worksheet
• EP26: Eggshell Abnormalities
• Are Eggs with Blood Spots Safe To Eat - blog
• CDC Salmonella & Eggs