For more than 107 years, Murray McMurray’s belief that small business is the backbone of all communities has let them be a strong supporter of their community.

The local firm frequently hears stories from customers about connections to Webster City. In fact, recently, the McMurray Hatchery heard about a couple going on vacation to New England and their friend’s neighbor having received chicks they bought from Webster City.

Soon the hatchery will be bringing in thousands of visitors to the Webster City area for the first-ever for Murray Fest Midwest.

A first-of-its-kind event for the area, Murray Fest Midwest will offer a premier poultry and homesteading festival in Central Iowa. Whether you’re a backyard chicken keeper, a budding homesteader, or hobby farmer, you’ll learn new skills and find valuable resources at Murray Fest Midwest.

Murray McMurray officially started his chicken business in 1917.

He had always been interested in poultry as a young man and particularly enjoyed showing birds at the local and state fairs. He was in the banking business at this time and sold baby chicks through the bank to area farmers and hobbyists. During the early stages of the depression his bank went broke. It was then he decided to go into the hatchery and mail order baby chick business full time.

Mail code enables hatcheries to ship day-old chicks via the United States Postal Service. By regulation, chicks must arrive within 72 hours, but the majority arrive within 48 hours. Chicks are hatched overnight starting on Sunday, and then Monday-Wednesday the baby chicks are prepared for being mailed. The baby chicks are then transported to Minneapolis, MN, to be sent out to customers across all 50 states and Canada.

For 74 years, the McMurray Hatchery operated at 609 Ohio Street (currently the site of the Bowman Funeral Home) in Webster City. In 1991, a state-of-the-art 26,000 sq ft building was constructed on the south side of Webster City and is where they are located today. In 2001, Bud Wood bought into the business and in 2012 the McMurray family sold their portion of the family business to Wood. Recently, Wood has moved on to retirement and passed the reigns of the business on to his son-in-law, Tom Watkins.

McMurray Hatchery’s focus has always been on providing the healthiest and highest quality baby chicks to small farm flocks and hobbyists. The Hatchery’s customers range from urban and backyard keepers with a half dozen hens, to homesteaders and hobby farmers who raise a mix of laying hens and meat birds to provide food for their families. “Over the past few years we have seen a rising trend in those wanting to raise and keep chickens as a way to feed their families. More and more people are looking for a way to not only have a source for meat and eggs, but also live a more sustainable life,” said Tom Watkins.

McMurray Hatchery employs about 40-50 full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff and manages over 100 different breeds of chickens. The Hatchery is regarded as a reliable source of information by chicken keepers across the country and known for their excellent customer service. “The level of customer services the phone room operators give keeps customers coming back,” said Watkins. The Hatchery’s operators have decades of experience. In fact, online customers often still tend to call in, preferring one-on-one conversations for tailored advice on how to choose their flock. Their mail-order catalog has grown into a guide on how to select breeds, complete with flock supplies and a line of Murray McMurray Hatchery merchandise, which speaks to the brand value the company has worked hard to create.

Murray Fest Midwest will offer a mix of learning and community. Speakers and entertainment include Rory Feek, Roots & Refuge Farm, and Coffee with the Chicken Ladies. For the first time in company history, VIP tours will be offered during the festival, and the weekend will conclude with a baby chick sale at the hatchery on Hatch day, Monday, July 1st, following the weekend festivities. For more information on Murray Fest Midwest, please visit their website at MurrayFestMidwest.com or follow Murray McMurray Hatchery on Facebook. Tickets are on sale now.