BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[gevshiba]

Watch that video. It starts out with a barefoot Chinese guy caponizing birds unassisted on a street corner. My jaw dropped watching the ease with which he performed the procedure, one after another, in about 1-2 minutes time each.

I tried to watch it, but my internet is so slow, all it did was show a few seconds and buffer. I made it 27 seconds before giving up. It might do better later tonight.

 

[hellbender]

I tried to watch it, but my internet is so slow, all it did was show a few seconds and buffer. I made it 27 seconds before giving up. It might do better later tonight.

It is a one person operation...even for new folks. Here's an excellent thread on BYC...in the event you weren't aware.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/675898/graphic-pics-of-my-day-learning-to-caponize

 

[hellbender]

Watch that video. It starts out with a barefoot Chinese guy caponizing birds unassisted on a street corner. My jaw dropped watching the ease with which he performed the procedure, one after another, in about 1-2 minutes time each.

Actually, under better conditions and with a little experience, one bird can be 'caponized' in well under one minute and the next patient is prepare...single handed. Some of those folks who do it professionally can do 5 or 7 chicks (or perhaps more) per minute if the operator has someone getting the chicks prepared and hands the individual chicks to the operator.

 

[Beer can]

It is a one person operation...even for new folks.  Here's an excellent thread  on BYC...in the event you weren't aware.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/675898/graphic-pics-of-my-day-learning-to-caponize

Excellent thread I've been following it. I'm glad you posted cockerels can be caponized when older, I was under the impression they had to be done real young for some reason. Capons is my plan for the white giants and I don't want to do it until I figure out my breeders. From what I have read the faster growers in giants are not e ones that grow to the larger size so I figure I better wait until they are fully filled out.
I figured I wouldn't be making capons until I started hatching.

I know I asked this before but has anyone thought about bettering their cockerel rates on hatching? I've heard there is ways to better chances of percentage of pullets but I've never heard a discussion of the opposite, for more capons.

 

[Beer can]

@hellbender I've read some history on capons. Way back in the day when they were popular the 'professional caponizer' traveled across the country doing hundreds of birds a day with little to no casualties. From what I read they got paid big buck$ for it back then.

 

[hellbender]

Excellent thread I've been following it. I'm glad you posted cockerels can be caponized when older, I was under the impression they had to be done real young for some reason. Capons is my plan for the white giants and I don't want to do it until I figure out my breeders. From what I have read the faster growers in giants are not e ones that grow to the larger size so I figure I better wait until they are fully filled out.
I figured I wouldn't be making capons until I started hatching.

I know I asked this before but has anyone thought about bettering their cockerel rates on hatching? I've heard there is ways to better chances of percentage of pullets but I've never heard a discussion of the opposite, for more capons.

I don't know anything about altering the percentage of one gender over the other but it's easier for me to 'alter' an over abundance of pullets if they are in over abundant supply.

 

[DesertChic]

Excellent thread I've been following it. I'm glad you posted cockerels can be caponized when older, I was under the impression they had to be done real young for some reason. Capons is my plan for the white giants and I don't want to do it until I figure out my breeders. From what I have read the faster growers in giants are not e ones that grow to the larger size so I figure I better wait until they are fully filled out.
I figured I wouldn't be making capons until I started hatching.

I know I asked this before but has anyone thought about bettering their cockerel rates on hatching? I've heard there is ways to better chances of percentage of pullets but I've never heard a discussion of the opposite, for more capons.

Shoot, if you want more cockerels then you should just have me do the hatching for you. I seem to be especially good at hatching more cockerels than pullets. The law of averages simply doesn't reside with me.

 

[Mini Meat]

Actually, under better conditions and with a little experience, one bird can be 'caponized' in well under one minute and the next patient is prepare...single handed. Some of those folks who do it professionally can do 5 or 7 chicks (or perhaps more) per minute if the operator has someone getting the chicks prepared and hands the individual chicks to the operator.

Wow, thats quite a system he has there, very efficient. I imagine, if you are a cockerel getting this done, quick is a mercy.
I think I could learn to caponize. Not like that but... I defiantly see the value added by a quick "procedure"

How does this affect their activity level? I free range and wonder if they will still get out there after this is done.
Also, is there any after care or isolation required or can they just go back to the flock?

 

[hellbender]

Wow, thats quite a system he has there, very efficient. I imagine, if you are a cockerel getting this done, quick is a mercy.
I think I could learn to caponize. Not like that but... I defiantly see the value added by a quick "procedure"

How does this affect their activity level? I free range and wonder if they will still get out there after this is done.
Also, is there any after care or isolation required or can they just go back to the flock?

Activity level drops dramatically. I keep the newly caponized birds together (segregated from others) for about a week to watch them for air pockets or infections. Never infections but there is occasionally an air pocket issue which is taken care of with a small incision with a clean bag knife blade. Some folks use pins or needles but that always seemed very ineffective.

Certainly the capons get out and rustle up grub but they look at the world with a different perspective than before...Neither hens nor cock-birds concern them. I confine capons or any bird I plan to do-in close quartered and feed them special food for about 25 to 30 days. Not required but I do it because I think it finishes the birds to a higher standard of tenderness and quality...

 

[collie1470]

Like the bread and milk the french traditionally give to tenderize the meat?