The Chickens Had Other Plans: A Day of Learning, Laughter, and a Little Foolishness at 1737

Some lessons are taught. Others come running through the garden.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned here at 1737 Urban Homestead, it’s that you can plan an entire day down to the smallest detail, but the chickens are under absolutely no obligation to cooperate.

And our latest Chicken Processing Class proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

We welcomed a wonderful group of people to the homestead for a day of hands-on learning, practical skills, and a closer look at what it means to raise and prepare your own food.

What we didn’t anticipate was just how much entertainment the chickens intended to provide.

Meet Tyrone. The Chicken Had Other Plans.

One of our participants, known on TikTok as Tyrone Grows, traveled all the way from Virginia to join us.

Now, Tyrone came ready to learn. He was enthusiastic, willing, and prepared to participate.

His chicken, however, had a completely different agenda.

Let’s just say there was a brief disagreement about how the afternoon was supposed to unfold.

And by disagreement, we mean the chicken made a run for it.

What followed was one of those moments you simply cannot plan. There was chasing, laughing, a little uncertainty, and Mr. Caldwell laughing so hard he could barely contain himself.

But Tyrone persevered!

And by the grace of all that is holy, he managed to pull himself together and complete the task.

We couldn’t have been prouder.

Or more entertained.

And Then There Was Teapot

Just when we thought the excitement had settled down, another chicken decided it wasn’t quite ready to participate either.

This time, the adventure belonged to Nontoxic Teapot, a sweet herbalist and gardener who brought so much joy and personality to the experience.

Her chicken also decided to make a break for freedom.

And Teapot? She had an absolute ball.

There was laughter, determination, and the kind of good-natured foolishness that makes a gathering memorable.

We can confidently say that our students learned how to process chickens.

We can also say that a few of them received an unexpected lesson in catching them first.

More Than a Demonstration

All jokes aside, this class was everything we hoped it would be.

Of our four guests, three participated in the hands-on processing while one chose to observe. Everyone had an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and experience the process in a way that felt comfortable for them.

Mr. Caldwell walked participants through the process, sharing practical knowledge and helping them understand the responsibility that comes with raising animals for food.

At 1737, we believe there’s tremendous value in understanding where our food comes from.

Not just the finished product that arrives on a plate, but the time, care, work, and responsibility involved long before it reaches the kitchen.

These are skills that have been passed down through generations, and we’re grateful for every opportunity to help keep that knowledge alive.

Of Course, There Was a Garden Tour

Because anyone who knows Mr. Caldwell knows that you cannot visit 1737 without eventually ending up somewhere in the garden.

Once the processing activities were complete, our guests had an opportunity to explore the homestead, ask questions, and learn about some of the things we’re growing.

There were conversations about plants, growing techniques, and what can be accomplished even when your growing space is limited.

And yes, Mr. Caldwell gave away plants.

Because apparently, letting visitors leave empty-handed is simply not something that man knows how to do.

The Real Harvest

When we look back on this class, we won’t just remember the chickens that were processed.

We’ll remember the laughter.

We’ll remember Tyrone’s determination, Teapot’s enthusiasm, and the conversations shared among people who arrived ready to learn.

We’ll remember the garden tour, the smiles, and the connections made along the way.

Most importantly, we’ll remember that people showed up willing to try something new, even when it became a little more adventurous than expected.

That’s what we want 1737 to be.

A place where people can ask questions without embarrassment, learn without judgment, laugh at themselves, and leave with something valuable.

Sometimes that something is a new skill.

Sometimes it’s a plant.

And sometimes it’s a story about the chicken that almost got away.

The real harvest is people leaving with something they didn’t have when they arrived.

To everyone who joined us, thank you for trusting us with your learning experience and for bringing such wonderful energy to our little backyard homestead.

And to Tyrone and Teapot…

We appreciate y’all.

But next time, let’s try to keep the chickens where they’re supposed to be.

With love, laughter, and a whole lot of feathers,

From our porch to yours,
1737 Urban Homestead

Cultivating community… Harvesting home.