Episodes

Thinking about adding ducks to your backyard flock? 🦆🐔 In this interview with poultry expert Gail Damerow, we talk all about raising ducks for beginners, including whether ducks and chickens can live together, what management actually looks like, and the biggest mistakes new duck keepers make. We cover: ✔️ Can ducks and chickens be kept together? ✔️ Beginner duck care basics ✔️ Water management (this one surprises everyone 👀) ✔️ Housing differences between ducks and chickens ✔️ What to know...

Are you doing enough to protect your backyard flock from disease? In this episode of The Coop Podcast, Phil and Lauren break down the essentials of chicken biosecurity and explain how simple daily habits can help prevent illness in backyard chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and mixed flocks. Learn why quarantining new birds, maintaining a closed flock, practicing proper chicken coop cleaning, controlling rodents and pests, and following good hygiene habits are some of the most effective ways t...

In this episode, we talk with backyard chicken expert and author Lisa Steele about her 10th Anniversary Edition of Gardening with Chickens and how chickens and gardens can work together in a practical, sustainable way. Lisa shares her journey from growing up near a chicken farm in New England to becoming a leading voice in backyard poultry and homesteading. She breaks down how to use chickens in the garden for natural pest control, soil aeration, and fertilization, plus how timing their access c...

Are day-old chicks or started pullets the better fit for your flock? 🐣 In this episode of The Coop Podcast, we break down the pros and cons of starting with day-old chicks versus started pullets so you can decide which option makes the most sense for your homestead. We cover everything from cost and breed availability to brooder setup, bonding, vaccinations, and how quickly you can expect eggs. Plus, we talk through the biggest differences in care, commitment, and what to expect whether...

Are you thinking about raising turkeys but don’t know where to start? 🦃 In this special guest episode of The Coop Podcast, we sit down with author Stacey Benjamin to talk all things turkey keeping, from getting started with poults to raising a happy, healthy flock. We cover the key differences between heritage and broad-breasted turkeys, brooder temperature and high-protein feeding, housing setups, and how turkey behavior compares to chickens (spoiler: they’ve got BIG personalities). Plus, we...

Are you ready to hatch your own chicks or grow your flock the easy way? In this episode of The Coop Podcast, we compare incubating eggs with raising day‑old chicks so you can choose what’s best for you. We’ll walk through selecting quality hatching eggs, setting up your incubator, managing temperature, humidity, turning, and the 21-day timeline—including what happens during lockdown and hatch day. You’ll also get brooder setup tips, chick feeding basics, and common mistakes to avoid when bringin...

Are you ready to build your dream backyard flock? In this episode of The Coop Podcast , we dive deep into the top chicken breeds, meat birds, and waterfowl for your homestead. From Barred Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, and Easter Eggers to Cornish Cross, Rainbow Rangers, and Pioneer Broilers, we cover which birds are best for eggs, meat, or dual-purpose use. We also explore specialty breeds like Cochins, Brahmas, Polish, and colorful Easter Eggers, as well as waterfowl options like ducks, tu...

Backyard chicken keeping is booming, especially in suburban and urban areas. In this episode of The Coop Podcast with Meyer Hatchery, Phil and Lauren break down coop and run design from the ground up so you can build a safe, healthy, and functional setup for your flock. We cover the essentials of coop and run design: location, drainage, lighting, ventilation, predator proofing, nest boxes, roosts, and easy human access for cleaning and maintenance. You’ll learn why ventilation is non-negotiable,...

Raising backyard chickens is becoming more popular in suburban and urban areas, but before you bring home chicks, it is critical to understand the zoning laws and HOA rules that may apply to you. In this episode of The Coop Podcast with Meyer Hatchery, Phil and Lauren break down zoning regulations, homeowner association rules, and local ordinances that affect poultry keeping. We walk through where to start, how to research the rules in your area, and why checking before you buy chicks can save y...

In this episode of The Coop Podcast with Meyer Hatchery, Phil and Lauren discuss the key question in backyard poultry keeping: your why. They explore reasons for raising chickens, such as fresh eggs, food security, pest control, family bonding, and teaching responsibility. Phil shares personal stories, while Lauren reflects on her upbringing with poultry and the lessons learned from caring for a flock. Insights from Meyer Hatchery’s customer service highlight common motivations for new chicken k...

Welcome back to The Coop Podcast with Meyer Hatchery, a poultry podcast for backyard chicken keepers and anyone starting their poultry journey. In this teaser episode, Phil and Lauren introduce the return of The Coop Podcast and share what listeners can expect in the season ahead. We talk about starting chickens the right way, from checking local rules and planning your chicken coop setup to choosing the right chicken breeds and caring for your flock with confidence. Whether you are a beginner c...

In this episode of The Coop, your new host Blaire is joined by Lauren from the marketing team and Anne from customer service to discuss egg production in cooler weather. Together, they explore the natural reasons hens slow down during fall and winter and share practical tips on how to keep them laying. From the impact of shorter daylight hours to molting and energy conservation, you'll get all the details on managing your flock during seasonal changes. They also answer questions from listeners i...

Join Jess and Blaire in this episode of The Coop with Meyer Hatchery as they look into the essentials of maintaining a small or urban flock. Blaire shares her journey from managing a large hobby farm in Michigan to a compact backyard setup in Florida. Learn about choosing the right breeds, predator-proofing, and navigating local regulations. Whether you’re new to chicken keeping or looking to downsize, this episode offers practical tips to help you succeed with a smaller flock and enjoy the bene...

Welcome back to The Coop with Meyer Hatchery! In this episode, Lauren and Kelsey, Meyer Hatchery team members, talk about the importance of maintaining a sustainable flock. Kelsey shares her experiences raising chickens, guinea fowl, and ducks on her Ozarks homestead. They discuss the essentials of a sustainable flock, including the role of roosters, hatching eggs with broody hens or incubators, and tips for successful incubation. Kelsey also highlights her favorite dual-purpose breeds and susta...

In this episode of The Coop, Jess from Meyer Hatchery sits down with Hanns from Omlet to discuss the evolution of chicken keeping and coop design. They explore Omlet and what makes them so special and Hanns shares his thoughts on making chicken coops more convenient and secure with features like automated doors that simplify daily routines for chicken keepers. There is lots to learn in this episode! You don't want to miss this Chicken Chat! Shop the Omlet Pro and more here - https://ift.tt/GeVQM...

Welcome back to The Coop with Meyer Hatchery! On this episode our host Linda has special guest Angela Ferraro-Fanning, joining us to discuss her writing and her permaculture homestead in New Jersey. Angela is the author of " A Little Homesteader: A Winter Treasury of Recipes, Crafts and Wisdom. " Angela shares her journey into sustainable farming and permaculture, as well as her passion for living in harmony with nature. She discusses her self-taught approach to farming and the evolution of her ...

Listen to the latest episode of The Coop, where our guest host Meagan discusses Talking Turkeys with special guest and Meyer Hatchery Brand Ambassador Josh from Fowl Mouth Farmer. We cover topics ranging from raising turkeys to multi-purpose functionality, social media presence, and the finer details of coop aesthetics. Filled with laughter and insightful moments, this episode will surely entertain and educate. Josh brings his unique perspective on poultry raising and his infectious personality ...

Join us on the Meyer Moment Podcast as host Linda explores the Meyer Hatchery April Bird of the Month - the Orpington . Learn about this dual-purpose breed's friendly nature, diverse color varieties, and egg-laying capabilities. Don't miss out on this chat with Lauren from Meyer's marketing team and grab a special discount on your next Meyer Hatchery purchase over $50. Subscribe, listen, and discover why life is better with chickens! Shop Orpingtons on our website.

Watch the video podcast here - https://youtu.be/zef8QZN_0x0 In this episode of The Coop, we're thrilled to introduce a special guest, Dalia, the president of Chickenlandia. Join us as we learn more about Chickenlandia and explore the different aspects of chicken keeping. We'll discuss the significance of reconnecting with our food and culture, as well as the joy and peace that these feathered friends bring into our lives. Whether you're a seasoned chicken keeper or just starting out, there's som...

Let's take a Meyer Moment to introduce our Birds of the Month: the Barred Plymouth Rock , White Plymouth Rock , and the Rhode Island Red ! This month, we're shining a spotlight on these production breeds, focusing on their prolific egg-laying capabilities. Check out more of our High Production Layers here . Join Linda as she talks more about these favorites!

Are you adding any waterfowl to your flock this year? Brooding waterfowl is such a fun and rewarding experience. Listen as Linda shares tips for brooding waterfowl and get your flock off to a great start! Wonderful Waterfowl resources Shop Meyer Hatchery's great selection of waterfowl! Help Desk Articles all about raising waterfowl

Here at Meyer Hatchery during the month of February, we are celebrating our love of waterfowl! Listen as Meagan interviews Lisa Steele all about her experience with waterfowl. Learn some of Lisa's favorite tips for brooding, feeding, and housing ducks (and geese). This episode is a must to listen to if you are interested in adding waterfowl to your flock! Duck Eggs Daily by Lisa Steele Lisa Steele Products Waterfowl Brooding Basics Nutritional Needs of Ducks Tips for a Duckling's First Swim All ...

Are you looking to add some waterfowl to your flock? Listen as Linda shares all about waterfowl, and what you need to consider when adding them to your flock. Waterfowl can make a great addition to any farm! Wonderful Waterfowl resources Shop Meyer Hatchery's great selection of waterfowl! Help Desk Articles all about raising waterfowl

Listen as Linda shares all about our Bird of the Month - Marans! The Marans is a favorite chicken breed among backyard poultry keepers, and Meyer Hatchery offers eight color variations, including both popular favorites and rare options. Named after Marans, France, these docile and easily trainable birds are hardy in all climates, making them stellar pets, egg layers, or an excellent dual-purpose option. They consistently lay 150-200 large brown eggs per year, ranging from the darkest in the Blac...