lori, I do the same with my butter as you. As for how they managed, I think it had a lot to do with getting it in small quantities and eating it soon. A chicken lays about an egg a day. If you have to layers, then you get two a day, and a little over a dozen a week. If you eat two a day, then they never go bad. If you have a cow, and you drink it all that day, no fridge necessary. Or, if the milk man delivers just enough for the day, then you just use it right then. Anyways, you get the picture.