Oh my gosh, I can totally empathize with the caponizing experience. After what felt like an eternity I managed to caponize the first bird I tried it on, but he grew out to be a slip. The second bird....I lost his testicle. One moment it was in the forceps and the next it had disappeared somewhere inside the body cavity. Then I started having an anxiety attack, glued him closed, and decided that I DEFINITELY need hands-on instruction to learn this.
As far as having all the roosters around....It's not as noisy as you'd think. Most of them don't actually crow....ever. The dominant ones in each group crow, which amounts to 7-9 roosters only, and they typically only "sing" for short periods of time two or three times per day, or to sound predator alarms. My nearest neighbor was actually shocked when he stopped by for a visit to see how many I had. He'd assumed I'd culled the majority of them since they're so quiet most of the day. Most of my birds live in their respective coops outside my bedroom. I figured it I can't stand the noise then I know my neighbors can't....encouragement for culling extras.
As far as Mags is concerned....yeah, I'm going to cull him. Thanks to all of you for your input and for reinforcing what my gut was telling me. Pretty bird or not, I just really don't have a good use for him, and his personality doesn't make him into a "pet" like several of our others. I talked with my hubby last night about him and he's also a go for the cull. "He's pretty, but I like the nicer ones better." Problem solved!
