Best set of caponizing tools?

[Sunny Side Up]

Yay, I finally found someone in my area who says she knows how to caponize cockerel chicks. But she may be moving out of town soon. So, quick! I need to obtain a decent set of caponizing tools so we can work together and she can teach me all she knows! I know some of the hatcheries sell them, other folks have bought old sets on eBay. And I've heard negative reports on some of the newer sets, that the tools don't work as well as they should.

Please, what are your recommendations?

 

[crazy chook]

Just out of curiosity, Why would you do that?

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I wish to do it so my standard-breed cockerels will grow out meatier. Right now they're weighing 3-5 pounds dressed at around 20 weeks, I hope that by caponizing them (neutering) they can grow to 6-9 pounds, maybe more. This could help even the bantam boys, who dress out at 1-2 pounds, grow to 3-4 or more. This is a practice that used to be more common before the Cornish Xs were developed, now many folks just raise them for the table since they grow so big so fast.

There have already been other discussions on the ethics of doing this. To me it's like pruning a fruit tree in order to make it produce more fruit. Except I'll be even more considerate & careful when I make the cuts.

Here's more info on capons: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-capon.htm

 

[scubaforlife]

The old Sears set with the horse hair retractor is the best. It isn't sold anymore, there is really only one set made now. http://www.enasco.com/product/C10606N

You would be performing this on the next batch, right? You shouldn't do this after the bird is 5 weeks old.

 

[dbcooper02]

I think a 5 week cut off date is a little early. According to the old books the operation can be done up to 12 weeks or so. Its more a matter of size and development rather than strictly age. They make really beautiful, docile birds that can be held as long as you care to feed them before processing them. That was one of the main benefits before household freezers became common. You were able to keep your meat "on the hoof" until you were ready to have it for dinner. Here's a pic of a few of my capons. Barred Rocks and a Buff Orpington.

 

[roverjohn]

Meaty!

 

[HLAC]

dbcooper, those are great looking birds!

How old are they in the picture? Do they crow?

Thanks!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

dbcooper, that picture is worth 1,000 words describing just WHY I want to learn how to caponize. You said you didn't recommend the tools made by Nasco, does that include a brand called "Enasco"? If that's all I can find should I go ahead & start with that? I want to have some beefy boys like you've got!

 

[dbcooper02]

I must admit these are much older than they need to be. Probably in the neighborhood of 9 months or so. As I said in my earlier post you can hold them as long as you care to. When I get ready to process these they will go in a fattening pen for 2 or 3 weeks and really bulk up. I really love the way they look. They don't moult and their feathers just keep on growing. The tail feathers on some of these are getting really long.

Usually a capon won't crow unless you have a slip. That's when a bit of material that should have been removed gets left in the bird. The trace of testosterone left behind will cause some comb or wattle development and may make him want to crow. He won't be a rooster, but he won't be a true capon either.

Sunny...don't buy the Nasco tools. I'll contact you and make arrangements to loan you a set of the "real" 100 year old tools

db

 

[honeydoll]

Is there anywhere to buy other than Nasco? I would like to eventually try caponizing but I think that is the only seller now, right? What's wrong with their set?