Episodes

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. P...

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 Shar...

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...

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 Discove...

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 something new and delicious, this episode is for you! In this episode you'll: Discover The Best Egg Laying...

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 mistakes that could be detrimental. So today, we’re going to cover common brooding mistakes in hopes it...

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.

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 Eggs!...

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, along with answering some of the questions you asked on social media. This includes things like that ...

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 episode you'll: Discover The Broodiest of Breeds Learn How To Care For A Broody Hen Catch The Pros and Cons of...

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 Rais...

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 ...

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...

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. Loca...