No matter what business you find yourself in, sometimes you just need to know "a guy". Well, I was fortunate to meet this guy when I first started in the chicken business. Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Snyder. This gentleman has raised and sold laying hens for way longer than I have been alive. It is not hyperbolic to say that he has forgotten more about chickens than I will ever know. We bought our first batch of hens from him 15 years ago when he was a spry 75 years old. Julie and I had recently purchased this part of our farm, and our house was still demolished from the tornado when we took delivery of our first 2000 hens. Yes, the first time I ever bought any chickens, I bought 2000. Might as well jump in with both feet right? I'm pretty sure Mr.Snyder thought to himself as he was leaving "This kid will never make it." Over the years I have called him seeking his council on several occasions, and I always learn something. Over the years I have learned to raise my own hens, but I have continued to occasionally buy some from Mr.Snyder. Last week we picked up a batch of 17-week-old hens. These birds should be laying eggs in the next few weeks. Mr.Snyder lives in North Carolina, so the trip is not short but the conversation is always great. I knew the trip would be a little bittersweet for me. Mr. Snyder is now 90. His health is not going to allow him to continue working much longer. I viewed this as sort of a farewell trip, and it was important enough to me that I kept my son out of school for the day so he and I could go have some time together, and with Mr.Snyder. Influential people can enter your life from various places. Embrace it, acknowledge it, appreciate it, and learn from it. I hope Atticus picked up on some of the lessons that can be learned from Mr.Snyder, I know I sure did. Lessons about hard work, dedication to a craft, fulfillment, consistency, and friendship.
