Local Superstitions: Keeping Hawks Away from Chickens

In a fascinating peek into the past, Samuel Miller Sener meticulously documented an array of superstitious beliefs from South Central Pennsylvania in a 1905 edition of the Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society. Among these, one superstition stands out for its unique blend of romance and rural pragmatism.

Farmers in early 20th-century Pennsylvania had their own unique method to protect their chickens from predatory hawks. They believed that heating a poker until it glowed red and then having a young lady whisper her lover’s name to it would ward off these birds of prey. This practice reflects the blend of daily concerns and mystical beliefs that characterized the local culture at the time.

Such superstitions not only illustrate the creative ways in which people tried to control their environment but also help us understand the personal and communal beliefs of the era. Whether effective or not, these practices were a testament to the community’s ingenuity and their attempts to blend human emotion with nature’s unpredictability. As we look back on these old beliefs, they give us a charming glimpse into the lives and loves of those who came before us. Click here for more local superstitions.

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Resources

• Local superstitions
• Historical Papers And Addresses Of The Lancaster County Historical Society; Volume 9