The Coop with Meyer Hatchery

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 crunched some numbers for you! 

In this episode you'll: 

• Discover Variables That Go Into The Cost of Raising Chickens
• Learn Tips To Save Money
• Get The Annual Cost of Raising Chickens!

Important Links:

• Shop Chickens!
• DIY Coop Plans
• Automatic Coop Door
• Chicken Treats - blog
  
  

Pricing and costs in this episode are for illustrative purposes only, prices may vary.

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 week, but the government can extend it again. Please stand beside us in voicing your concerns!

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 nearly black. 

In this episode you'll: 

• Discover 10 Common Comb Styles
• Learn The Purpose of Combs
• Catch Comb Health Tips

Important Links:

• Chicken Encyclopedia
• Types of Chicken Combs - blog
• MM 30 - Frostbite
  
  

Definitions in this episode are from the Chicken Encyclopedia. 

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. 

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. Located in rural Maine, Kirsten has been raising geese and enjoying their query personalities and practicality in her sustainable permaculture practices for years. For a poultry type with many misconceptions, how does one become intrigued to raise such a large flock of them?

In this episode you'll: 

• Learn About Hostile Valley Living
• Hear How Geese Play A Role In Sustainable Permaculture
• Find Tips For Raising Geese
• Be Invited To Kirsten's Upcoming Class!

Important Links:

• Shop Goslings
• A Guide to Geese & Goslings Online Class 
  February 20, 2021, Hosted by Kirsten from Hostile Valley Living - $10
• Hostile Valley Living Instagram
• Hostile Valley Living Blog
• The Modern Homesteaders Guide To Keeping Geese - Kirsten's Book
• Which Is The Best Goose Breed For You? - blog
  
  
  

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 this episode you'll: 

• Discover The Benefits of Keeping Poultry Pets
• Learn Tips for Raising Poultry as Pets
• Catch our Favorite Episodes With More Tips!

Important Links:

• Episode 38: Best Beginner Breeds
• MM 40: Raising Tame Chickens
• Shop Poultry!

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 maintain keeping poultry amongst other animals in Colorado, known for its excessive snowfall, high altitude, and very large predators? Here to share her best advice and inspire other female farmers, I’m joined by Renee Woods of Mountain Woods Farm. 

In this episode you'll: 

• Learn About Mountain Woods Farm
• Hear How Renee Handles Snow with Her Flock
• Find Tips For Raising Poultry at High Altitude
• Be Inspired By A Fellow Farmher

Important Links:

• Mountain Woods Farm - Instagram
• Heritage Barred Rock
• Ranger Broilers
• Definitely Not Simple Life Podcast