It is funny, you grow up and hear the same family stories over and over. You think you have heard them all. Then, something happens to open up a flood of new stories from family members.
For us, it was getting chickens. Once we had our own chickens it was like we were members of a family club and could be let in on more of the family tales. Either that, or family members were just reminded of things from their past.
From my maternal grandmother I learned many new things. She shared the story of when she got married and her friends and neighbors threw a shower for her. It was a "chicken shower" and each guest brought a chicken to start the chicken flock at her new home. She said that one of the chickens was not very friendly and did not get along with the others. It was not long until that chicken went in the stew pot. My grandmother guessed that enough time had passed that she could share that part of the story. She never wanted the original owner to know she had done that.
She also shared stories of her mother's chicken flock such as which breeds were her favorites. My great grandmother apparently had very tame hens. I learned from my grandmother how her mother would put a hen in a sleep-like trance by turning it on its back and rubbing her chest and stomach. That is what I have done to this chick.
Doing this before taking the hen to the chopping block supposedly results in more tender meat. At least, it seems more humane.
My father grew up on a farm too, although they did live in town for a short time when he was very young (about 5 years old). While in town, they raised chickens in their garage. It was his job to tend to them and collect eggs. He told me that one time he when he put his hand in the nest to gather the eggs that there was a snake curled up in the nest. He also delivered chickens to customers in the neighborhood. He said he would put one in a cage and transport it to the customer in his wagon. After delivery to the kitchen door, the neighbor would kill it, pluck it and cook it for dinner. How is that for fresh food?
I think it is interesting that I had never heard these stories before.
I am left wondering what other stories I never heard. What if I had gotten pigs?
