Our Egg Business in the 1960s

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P R I N T E D
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W W W . H I C K M A N S E G G S . C O M
Our Egg Business in the 1960s
by Bill Hickman
Working for Standard
Stations, Inc., was a learning
experience in business. Before
self-service was offered, it was
a personification of a small
business: sales, service, and
collection. Gertie’s training
in retail experience was
working at her father’s
place, Leonard’s’ in
downtown Glendale.
Open laying house in mid 1960,
no protection from noise.
Construction crew of Guy and Bill and some neighbors in mid-1960's.
Bill and Gertie with 1st son,
Matt, after Gertie’s home delivery
routes ended!
We tried to apply what we
learned on these jobs to the
egg business. With a few
chickens and limited
equipment, we formed a
partnership with my parents.
The plan was for my father,
Guy, and I to remain working
our non-egg jobs and for our
10,000 hens, plus raise the
replacement chicks. Soon,
sales skyrocketed and Gertie's
home delivery routes and our
little store outsold our
expectations.
When Gertie and I started,
cage-laid eggs were a
relatively new concept. It
meant a jump in our
investment to enter the cagelaid business. Today, 85% of
As our flock grew, so did our
family, four boys and a baby girl
with Nell, Guy, and Bill Hickman
all laying hens are in cages.
It is assumed eggs are cagelaid, unless the packaging
states otherwise, such as "cage
Free" or "Free Range."
Specialized technology
1960s style
Our hens were doing excellent
in their cages. I was so proud
that I hand-painted a large
metal sign that read, “Cage
Laid eggs.” I attached it to the
garage facing the 67th Avenue
Street entrance to our farm
and little store.
A clothespin was attached to
the egg tray on the front of
each cage. Everyday that a
hen laid an egg, we would
move that pin over one wire.
Each Sunday, we reset the
pins back to the beginning.
If a hen kept moving the pin,
she could remain in her cage.
Once she quit moving her pin,
she was sold for soup. We
manually counted the eggs we
gathered and entered the total
on charts located in the front
of each house.
Managing Neighborhood
& Glendale City
Council reaction
in the early 1960s
A developer had built two spec
homes next to our property.
Because of the chicken houses
next door, he could not sell the
houses. He decided it would
be best to purchase our
property. With the help of our
attorney, Henderson Stockton,
and the pressure applied by
the Glendale City Council, we
arrived at a sales price. With
the proceeds, we were able to
move to a piece of property we
had previously purchased, on
91st Avenue and Orangewood.
The City of Glendale promised
this new location would be
isolated from housing
development, as it was an
agricultural area. The City
promised to connect us to
their existing water line.
Because we were no longer in
their city limits, they charged
us at an increased rate. By
this time, we were dealing
with an entirely new council.
Sound Laying
Environment
As you can see from this
picture, the hen houses were
not completely enclosed.
Sound from outside traffic and
the neighborhood would scare
our hens, living up to their
species name, “CHICKEN.” We
had radios playing in the
houses to detract from this
outside noise. It was our hope,
that the radio produced a
soothing sound. A longtime
family friend, who we enticed
to help gather eggs while
Gertie was having our
children, told me I was going
to have to change the music.
He lost his count whenever
the announcer gave the call
continued on next page
Our Egg Business in the 1960s
continued from front cover
sign of, KRUX 1340. When he
got to the chart, he would
have to recount all the eggs in
his basket!
Investing in Education
I enrolled in Dr. Parker’s
poultry classes at ASU. After
class gab sessions were
interesting. Dr. Parker would
help with any real world
problems those of us in the
Hickman's first corporate lawyer,
Henderson Stockton with Gertie
class were having. A turkey
grower was having a problem
with a disease in his flock. He
brought in two tom turkeys
for Dr. Parker to evaluate. This
was right before
Thanksgiving, and the grower
was very concerned. Dr.
Parker took a look at the birds
and immediately suspected a
liver disease. Unfortunately,
the only way he could proof
his diagnosis was to cut open
one of the big toms. We
tethered the turkey who
wasn’t going to be cut open, to
a chair. Dr. Parker, with the
help of a couple students,
started to cut the other tom.
As soon as he put the blade to
that turkey, the tom let out a
scream that could’ve raised
the dead. What it did raise was
the other turkey who was
tethered to the chair. That
turkey took off, flying around
the room with the chair still
attached to its legs. The
students chased around trying
to catch this out-of-control
turkey with the chair attached.
Catching a greased pig would
have been easier, and a whole
lot quieter!
More advances in hen
care in the late 1960’s
We built our first climate
controlled lay house in 1967.
The first group of hens did so
well that we doubled the size
for the next house, which was
Eggceptional Customer
& Nest Members
By Maria Smith & Clint Hickman
Congratulations to Tom and
Cathy Koker, owners of TC
Eggingtons in Mesa. The
week of November 14th
marked 20 years of serving
delectable egg dishes and
scrumptious brunches. Dean
their Kitchen Manager, has
guest appeared on Sonoran
Living and was one of the first
contestants in our Shamrock
Foods Exotic Egg Dish
Competition. Twenty percent
of breakfast meal proceeds
were donated to CASA. The
Court Appointed Special
Advocate (CASA) program has
been established to help
protect abandoned, abused,
and neglected children. Court
Appointed Special Advocates
are trained volunteers. They
donate their time to help the
court system determine what
is best for the children who
have come under the
court’s care.
Sponsorships of Glendale Little League Baseball teams, are first of
many community participation projects.
22,500 hens. It was the largest
hen house in the state at the
time. That house was
catalogued and moved to the
91st Avenue location and
became House 3. There would
be 7 houses that comprised
the 91st Avenue operation,
which eventually totaled
340,000 hens.
Community donation
helps labor supply
Labor was tight at the time.
My sons and their baseball
team buddies, Bart and Brett
Underwood performed a lot of
the work it took to move the
house. We barely got it done
in time to receive the pullets
that were due to be housed in
it. Although Sharman was still
a small child a the time, she
still helped in the construction,
by picking up nails from under
the cages.
Next issue: We invest in
1970’s Technology
What’s Cookin?
Stuffed French Toast!
8 Extra Large Hickman eggs
Spray 9 x 12 pan
2 loaves of bread
Line 9 x 12 pan with one layer
of bread slices, spread soft
cream cheese on one side,
then cover with another bread
slice forming a sandwich
1 Cup Milk
Strawberries and Whipped
Cream
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
2 packages Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup Sugar
Cooking Spray
Cinnamon
Whip eggs, milk, vanilla, and
sugar in bowl.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Pour egg mixture to fully
submerge bread. Sprinkle with
cinnamon and bake for 30-40
minutes.
Top with Strawberries and
Whip cream
Next issue: Huevos con chorizo
with mango salsa-from Earl’s
Mexican Restaurant
Governor Napolitano gets informed on
Hickman’s Hen Care and BioSecurity
At 2:25 p.m., on October 7th,
Governor Janet Napolitano
landed safely at our ranch in
Maricopa. Her security staff
preceded her by an hour to
properly bio-suit and secure the
area. Department of
Agriculture’s Dr. John Hunt,
Anita Landy, Katie Decker, and
Mr. Don Butler were also
present. Also on hand, our
partners from the Ak-Chin
Community and our neighbors
at Shamrock Farm former
representative, Christina Calio.
Governor takes time to pose with entire staff and shake every hand.
Governor Napolitano landing at
Maricopa ranch.
Bill and Gertie, Cofounders,
were first on hand to great
and explain the timeline of
Hickman’s Egg Ranch, Inc.
“I was truly by impressed by
her insightful questions.
She thoroughly researched
our company,” Gertie
Hickman said.
The Governor and entourage
entered house 4 by 2:35 p.m.
Dr. Bicknell took time to
express the inner complexities
Doc Bicknell discussing hen
care with Governor Napolitano.
of the laying environment. Doc
actually held a hen while
expounding on all aspects of
hen care.
At 2:55 p.m., the tour was
taken over by George Bango,
upon reentering the processing
plant. He walked the Governor
through the processing area,
remarking, “I thought the
helicopter entry was awesome.
It was an honor for me
personally, to have the
opportunity to help with the
tour, explain the process, and
answer her questions.”
At 3:06 p.m., our photographer,
Scott Fahrence, had the entire
Maricopa Processing Staff
arranged for a publicity photo
within the loading and
receiving area. “She took the
time to shake every employee’s
hand before they returned to
work and before she went to
the next leg of her tour, that
was class,” commented Scott,
owner of F2Pix Studio.
Adding,“you don’t see that
on camera.”
George Bango explains processing
in a USDA HACCP certified setting.
Shortly after 3:10 p.m. Governor
Napolitano was presented with
a commemorative egg award.
It can be viewed when the
Governor is on televised
office interview or email
[email protected]
for the photo.
At 3:12 p.m., while guests were
desuiting and sampling the
devilish eggs and tasty
beverages, courtesy of
Shamrock Farms, Governor
Napolitano posed for pictures
with the family and guests. She
made an announcement for
Gertie Hickman to join her.
“I first met Gertie during
Arizona’s Katrina evacuees
effort. She informed me that
access to the internet to help
Governor Napolitano accepts
custom-designed egg as a token of
Hickman's family & staff appreciation
Governor Napolitano explains to
Gertie how important her volunteer
efforts for the Katrina victims by
presenting her with a plaque.
the victims was delayed. This
plaque is to honor Gertie for
her volunteerism,” announced
Governor Napolitano.
At 3:15 p.m., we waved goodbye to the Governor and her
guests, as she made her exit.
Eggknowledgements
Shamrock Foods Egg
Competitors Notice
The judges are looking forward
to tasting the dishes to be
created at the next Shamrock
Foods Show. Good luck to the
following contestants: Old
they had so much fun and
thought the emcees at the
lunch were hilarious,” Cathy
Mireles, Vice President,
Arrowhead Community Bank.
Gertie Hickman won the lunch
with Catherine Anaya at CBS,
courtesy of Dan Cortez,
committeman for the event.
Money raised will benefit the
Douglas School District and
provide scholarship dollars
for Peoria Unified
School District.
screened guests are provided
with disposable suits, hair
bonnets, and shoe coverings.
Footage was used to show the
interiors, as access to the
home of our hens is no
longer permitted.
Susan G. Komen 5-K
Fry’s Food Store, Deb Harrison
joined the Hickman Chick
Gang for the Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer, Race for the
Cure on October 9th. Floyd
Smith was our 6 foot plus
mascot. Talk about getting a
high five for crossing the
finish line. This was the first
time our mascot raced other
mascots. Our Chicken
practiced safety first and
allowed Scorch from the
Mercury to take 1st.
Shamrock Foods', Mike
McGever, poses with our Mascot
and some evening omelet
patrons at St. Vincents.
The 2006 traveling trophy
goes to the winner's place
along with Hickman gift bags to
all contestants.
Tucson Studios, Brian Parker
from Ironwood Phoebe’s CaféTucson, Gus from Vaqueros
Steak House-Douglas, Crackers
N More-Mesa and the just
added, Bruce from First Watch!
Good luck to the returning
contestants. If you are a
Shamrock Foods customer
and want to compete, email
[email protected]
or your Shamrock
Sales Associate.
Bird Flu Precautions
Clint appeared on the cover of
the Arizona Republic, The
Fox10 Morning and Evening
News, and the Channel 12
News, explaining our BioSecurity program. This
program was designed to
prevent our hens from
contracting Exotic Newcastle
in 2002. Reporters stood in our
program of bio-security suits,
pointing out the vehicular tire
spray, dressing trailers for
incoming employees, and
From Left, Phillip Felix, Sherri Clarke,
Kerri Felix, and Kolby Felix Chick
Team featured on 12 Stands for
Local News webpage
GAIN serves up
breakfast before
yard salers search
for treasures
The Willo Neighborhood
Association has an annual
yard sale event with local
Police and Fire personnel to
cook them breakfast. The
Bashas store at 7th Avenue
and Osborn provided the
fixings for scrambled egg
burritos. Thank you to Alison
Bendler with Bashas and to
Ruthann Marston for the Willo
Neighborhood.
First Watch hospitality kicked up
a notch by servers sporting
Hickman Chicken tattoos
First Watch 19th Annual
Free Omelet Day lands
on World Egg Day
This event benefits the Society
of St. Vincent de Paul. Patrons
ordered up omelets at one of
the Valley’s four First Watch
locations from 7 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. on Friday, October 14th.
First Watch serve free omelets
in exchange for donations to
benefit the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul. First Watch
served a total of 1,179 that day
at their restaurants and Bruce
from First Watch helped whip
up 384 omelets at the Kickoff
Family Evening Omelets on
October 12th.
Photo courtesy of Ruthann Marston
Arizona Chain Reaction
1st Annual Event
Tom Lux stayed out of Bruce's
heated kitchen, while Mayor Phil
Gordon and Fox10 Morning
Show stopped in.
Vamosy Golf Tournament
Fore Star
Albert Zavala was the Chair of
the 9th Annual fund raising
event in honor of fallen friend,
Richard Vamosy. “My husband
and his group are looking
forward to next year’s event,
The initial, “Meet Your Arizona
Companies” event was hosted
by the Duck and Decanter at
the Camelback Arboleda
center. The event, sponsored
by Arizona Chain Reaction,
was an opportunity for people
to meet their locally owned
member companies. Arizona
Chain Reaction was founded in
March of 2003 by Kimber
Lanning of Stinkweeds New &
Eggknowledgements
Used Music, Michael Monti of
Monte's La Casa Vieja and
Cindy Dach from Changing
Hands Bookstore. Visitors to
this event met businesses from
Basha's to Cowtown Skate
shop. For a complete directory
of Arizona Chain Reaction
members, visit azcr.org. View
pictures from this event at
wallaceladmogerald.com.
your parents wedding picture I
thought it was just great also
loved the pictures of all the kids
when they were young . If I did
in fact miss a few issues can I
still get a hold of them? If the
series is not complete I ask that
you consider bringing the story
up to the present. The story of
the ranch along with your
families history in Glendale is
very interesting and it should
be told.
Sincerely Jim Whitehurst
Hello :0)
Maria Smith and our company
mascot get to meet Wallace!
photo courtesy of David Culling,
fan club photographer
Today I received a hickmans tshirt, ruler + magnet for playing
the game at your hickmans site.
I would like to say a big thank
you for them, they are very
much appreciated! Thanks
again and have a great day :)
Email & Fowl Ups
Kerri Gulliver - New Zealand
Send your comments to
[email protected]
My name is Baileigh and I am 9
years old. Today I got a t-shirt, a
magnet, stickers and recipes
from you. Thank you very
much for them - it was very
egg-citing :) I hope you have an
egg-cellent day!
Dear Sharman,
I am writing to let you know
how much I enjoy the
newsletter. I enjoy reading the
articles and have especially
enjoyed the series you began
on the history of the ranch. I
must have missed a few issues
because the series appears to
be over and I never reached
current times as a matter of fact
I think it ended in the early
1970’s. I really got a kick out of
Baileigh Gulliver
New Plymouth, New Zealand
Thanks to Glenn for printing,
“Getting Close to Loving the
Animal to Death.” It seems that
all the care we put into our
hens goes unnoticed by the
public. George Bango,
Cackle for a Quarter
Hatched by Karen Shimansky
What did the newsboy yell to sell papers?
Eggstra!! Eggstra!! Read all about it.
What did the chix put on her floor? Shellack
What did the chix name her gas station? Shell
What did the chix household call their remote control?
The Clucker
Send us your cackle for a quarter to [email protected],
Thank you Chick Gang Members, Kerri Felix and Pamela Justice,
each will receive .50 and a Hickman fun pack.
Glendale Ranch
Remembered:
Maricopa Laying Complex
“Man that Trent Loos knows
chickens. That article was
awesome, more people should
know this stuff.” Also you
forgot to name the forklift
driver in Henrietta’s makeover,
me, Frank Carpena,
Transportation Director
Good Day Sharman!
I received your last Hickman’s
newsletter, I am eggstremely
delighted with your write up of
Teddy Bear Bunco in the
Eggknowledgements Column.
Together, we have made a
difference! Thank you!
Hickman’s is truly an
eggstordinary eggsample of a
company that supports the
community. And you can’t
beat that!
Thank you,
Denice Bryan
“Early morning Sundays in
the summer when Billy
was in his early 20’s, I
used to pass him on his
was to the lake. I was on
the way to feed my
pheasants at my place on
83rd and Northern by the
ranch. He was taking a
“boatload” full of friends to
Lake Pleasant. I miss
seeing that group of kids
going to the lake while I
was on my way to work!”
Mickey Ollson, Wildlife
World Zoo Owner,
Hickman Egg Customer
since 1969.
George and Roxanna Bango
in Billy’s boat circa 1980s
Stump the Eggspert
Super Jumbo Cartons100% Recyclable!
Greetings: Can the Super
Jumbo egg containers go in
the recycling bin? I can’t find a
recycling symbol on the
container.
Thank you,
Jackie Murdock
Dear Jackie:
If you look on the carton itself,
just to the left of the bar code
there is a small white circle
with the green arrow
designating recycling. In
addition, if you flip the carton
over, you can see small trees
on the bottom of the egg
holders. To the left of the
corner holder, bottom right
Jumbo holder, there is another
recycling symbol.
Gary Snyder, Packaging
Inventory Specialist
Sharman,
I bought some of your “really”
large eggs this weekend and
they are super. Why only ten
in a package? This is
interesting as in Europe
especially Russia this is
how they sell them, not by
the dozen.
Sandra MacIntyre
Dear Sandra,
The SuperJumbo Dinos come
10 per because the eggs are so
large, if we tried to pack them
12 per they would not fit in the
outer cardboard shipping
container (half case).
Clint Hickman
Photos courtesy of Audrey Hickman
Earl’s Restaurant has a
tradition of serving great food
in Peoria, Arizona for over 38
years. It prides itself on
bringing its customers
excellent food with excellent
Front row from left: Katie Cisco service at a reasonable price.
Earl’s feels that having only
one restaurant and having a
family member working in the
restaurant each day is the only
way to run a restaurant. Earls
has some employees that have
served for over 28 years.
Guy and Nell Hickman treated
their grandkids to authentic
Mexican food at Earl’s when
they were located just west of
what was Lucky’s Shopping
Center, on the corner of 99th
Avenue and Peoria. The rookie
egg training delivery route
was Sun City. Matt, Glenn,
Billy, and Clint, didn't need
their map notes to
find Earls!
“Mom still works in the
restaurant. Regulars look
trophy creator and Brad Radian,
Back row from left, Judy Welch,
Mary Ellen LeGendre, Darlean
Worischeck, Linda Dickson, Fran
Hunold, and Dolores Stillson.
Shamrock
Trophy creator,
Katie Cisco
with Huevos
Con Chorizo
and mango
salsa-Brad's
winning recipe
for 2005
Shamrock
Summer Sales
Spectacular
forward to seeing her.
Although we don’t have Dad,
we still run it the way he
taught us,” commented Brad.
Bill Hickman added, “I had
no idea that Brad was Earl’s
son, until his Shamrock
Show win!”
Hatch Dates
October: Steve Martin,
Kristian Cisneros, Maria
Coffey, Rosa Gastelum,
Daniel Maza, Juan Orozco,
Bob Comly, Denise Holt
November: Bill Hickman, Sr.,
Maria Aviles, Marta Navarro,
Edward Soncrant, Marilu
Delgado, Catarino Vasquez,
Eric Castro, Victor Cruz,
Sheryl Thomas, Armida
Vazquez, Rufina Campean,
Richard Silva, Cynthia
Morales, Ivan Diaz
December: Sergio Velarde,
Grant Hickman, Pedro
Carrasco, Jose Quintero,
Enriquez Rodriguez, Sandra
Gavia, Nick Bango, Javier
Sanchez, Rosalba Montes,
Juan Ramirez, Rene Galvan,
Javier Sanchez, Billy Hickman,
Randy Odom, Enriquez
Galvan, Fermin Gutierrez,
Carlota Orozco, Bobbie
Schwemm, Hector Flores, Lisa
Hickman and Alfredo Calozo
Love Nests:
Congratulations to Clint and
Jennifer Hickman, 2 years on
October 25th.
Congratulations to Billy and
Lisa Hickman 18 years of a
blessed nest, December 26th.
Community Events
Notices:
December 29th-January 1st,
Arizona Nationals, Arizona
State Fair Grounds
January 4th - 2nd Annual
White House Easter Egg
Competition, Banner Estrella
Medical Campus, 9 a.m.
March 25th - Arizona Ag Day,
Saguaro Ranch Park, 10 a.m.
For more details on events, email
[email protected]
April 15th, NAMI Walk,
Arizona State Capitol, 8 a.m
6515 S. Jackrabbit Trail
Buckeye, Arizona 85326.
Hickman’s MVP: Earl’s Mexican Restaurant, Family
Owned And Operated Restaurant Since 1967
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