Episodes

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 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,...

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...