The Coop with Meyer Hatchery

Why We Raise Chickens, Finding Your Why in Backyard Poultry

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 keepers. The hosts discuss practical aspects like meat birds versus laying hens, composting, and the benefits of backyard chickens. They also introduce a fun segment, Cluck Cluck What the Heck, featuring real-life chicken antics.Whether you’re a beginner or expanding your flock, this podcast aims to educate and inspire your poultry journey. New episodes drop every other week. Subscribe, leave a review, and share your poultry questions or stories at podcast at meyerhatchery.com.Don’t forget to place your Meyer Hatchery order! 🐔 Use code THECOOP at meyerhatchery.com for 10% off your order (one-time use per customer).

Welcome Back to The Coop Podcast, A Poultry Podcast for Backyard Chicken Keepers

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 chicken keeper, raising chicks for the first time, or expanding into ducks, quail, turkeys, or other backyard poultry, this podcast is here to make poultry keeping approachable, educational, and fun. We will cover chicken care tips, feed and nutrition, egg laying issues, flock management, and real life lessons from years in poultry.New episodes of this homesteading and backyard farming podcast drop every other week. Subscribe now and join us in the coop.Don’t forget to place your 2026 Meyer Hatchery order! 🐔 Use code MHYT at meyerhatchery.com for $5 off your order (one-time use per customer, $50 subtotal minimum).

Egg Production in Cooler Weather

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 in different climates and highlight breeds that are excellent year-round layers. Don't miss out on these tips for optimizing your flock's egg production throughout the year!Check out our Blog on Supplemental Coop Lighting for Egg ProductionShop Meyer Hatchery Poultry FeedShop Cold Hardy Chicken Breeds

Keeping a Smaller Flock

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 benefits of urban homesteading.Blog - Top Breed Picks For a Family Friendly FlockYouTube - Jess's Top 5 Chicken BreedsShop What's Hatching from Meyer Hatchery

A Sustainable Flock

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 sustainable feeding practices, like using kitchen scraps and growing vegetables for the flock.Whether you're a seasoned poultry keeper or just starting out, this episode offers valuable insights on building and maintaining a sustainable flock. Tune in to learn more and get inspired!Add a Homestead Helper to your order today!*As an Amazon Affiliate, Meyer Hatchery may earn from qualifying purchases made through links posted on this site.The Bluetooth hygrometer Kelsey uses - https://amzn.to/3WRNd5fanother option we love - https://amzn.to/3yKRUG0