DodgeballChix
In the Brooder
- May 18, 2020
- 5
- 15
- 21
Hi, new to the group. I have been reading threads for years to find info on various topics but only recently joined.
I have been raising CornishX for many years and have decided to try to develop a system for a more sustainable meat bird option. I have been having increasing issues with usps misrouting my chicks or high mortality upon arrival with the CornishX. I would like to try my hand at using a dual purpose breed. I understand that they will not be comparable to the CornishX but I am considering it a project. I am going to be hatching out some bielefelders soon as a trial. They are auto sexing which is a plus for indentifying my Roos right off the bat and banding them. I plan on keeping 5-6 hens and 1-2 Roos as breeders. I would like to caponize the extra roosters and raise them as meat birds with a plan to butcher between 4-6 mo. I have watched many videos and practiced on two culled roosters. From what I can find, it suggests that caponization should be done at 4-6 weeks ideally and I can understand why. The adult Roos I practiced on were too mature and the testicles were too large to realistically remove non-invasively.
I am looking for any guidance on this procedure as I seems to be a dying art and limited information and instruction on this. I have a surgeon friend who is also interested in helping with this. I am actually a surgical physician assistant so I am very comfortable with the surgical aspect. Wondering if anyone has any tips on the procedure? Do you glue or suture the incisions? I plan to grow the capons out and finish on grain and milk. I understand that there is likely a learning curve on this procedure and that I will likely lose some birds initailly and on occasion.
I have been raising CornishX for many years and have decided to try to develop a system for a more sustainable meat bird option. I have been having increasing issues with usps misrouting my chicks or high mortality upon arrival with the CornishX. I would like to try my hand at using a dual purpose breed. I understand that they will not be comparable to the CornishX but I am considering it a project. I am going to be hatching out some bielefelders soon as a trial. They are auto sexing which is a plus for indentifying my Roos right off the bat and banding them. I plan on keeping 5-6 hens and 1-2 Roos as breeders. I would like to caponize the extra roosters and raise them as meat birds with a plan to butcher between 4-6 mo. I have watched many videos and practiced on two culled roosters. From what I can find, it suggests that caponization should be done at 4-6 weeks ideally and I can understand why. The adult Roos I practiced on were too mature and the testicles were too large to realistically remove non-invasively.
I am looking for any guidance on this procedure as I seems to be a dying art and limited information and instruction on this. I have a surgeon friend who is also interested in helping with this. I am actually a surgical physician assistant so I am very comfortable with the surgical aspect. Wondering if anyone has any tips on the procedure? Do you glue or suture the incisions? I plan to grow the capons out and finish on grain and milk. I understand that there is likely a learning curve on this procedure and that I will likely lose some birds initailly and on occasion.
