Caponizing in California

[Chewbagawk]

Hey everyone,
Is there anyone in the Central California area who has experience with caponizing? One of my pullets turned out to be a cockerel, and we've grown attached to him. We're not allowed to have a rooster in the suburbs, so there lies the dilemma. I would do it myself, but I'd hate to mess up and nick an artery. Would anyone be willing to either teach me or help me caponize a cockerel?

 

[cavemanrich]

First of all, caponizing is done at 3 to 5 weeks of age. It is not an easy procedure for a novice. It does hurt the rooster and is done so you can have more choice meat to eat. You would not be doing your rooster a favor by jerking out his testes. If I was that rooster I would never forgive you. Caponizing is something you plan ahead of time. It is not a solution for a bird that you find out is male and decide you want to keep him around as a pet. Here is a link for you to read. After you read it thru I think you will put your roo up for adoption.


WISHING YOU BEST ...

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Caponizing.html

 

[Chewbagawk]

First of all, caponizing is done  at 3 to 5 weeks of age.    It is not an easy procedure for a novice.   It does hurt the  rooster and is done so you can have more choice meat to eat.   You would not be doing your rooster a favor  by jerking out his testes.    If I was that rooster I would never forgive you.     Caponizing is something you plan ahead of time.   It is not a solution  for a bird that you find out is male  and decide you want to keep him around as a pet.   Here is a link for you to read.   After you read it thru I think you will put your roo up for adoption.


 
WISHING YOU BEST ... 


 
http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Caponizing.html

Well, ok then. Despite the fact that I've already read that article and the numerous accounts of cockerels both surviving and thriving after a Caponization procedure, I will take your word for it. Not like people neuter birds, dogs, cats, etc. all the time and they do fine afterwards. Of course the only point of doing so is to eat the animal afterwards, no other reason at all. Also it's not like I've ever done anything similar to this before, why would I err on the side of caution and learn this specific procedure from an expert? I'll just gift a rooster to someone else in california, even though that they are illegal to own within 100 miles of me. Perhaps I'll make a soup out of him now, save him the trouble. Maybe he'll forgive me afterwards. Thank you!

 

[Chewbagawk]

Sorry for my level of sarcasm, but I'm pretty stressed right now with finishing calls with 3 rude veterinarians (questioning why I have a chicken in the first place, ughhh), and I'm a bit sensitive right now. I understand you're trying to help, but this is about my only option besides eating him as soon as he becomes a problem (6 weeks old now, not too far outside the window). Personally, if he didn't become a family pet, and if it was a large scale farm I was living on, I'd make a nice entree tomorrow (but if I were in the country, wouldn't be a problem anyway). Thank you for taking the time to respond.

 

[dfr1973]

(6 weeks old now, not too far outside the window).

Not really out of the "window," as several of us on the big honkin' caponizing thread prefer to caponize at that age or a little older. If you end up giving it a try yourself, do come over to the capon thread for advice and useful preps.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Check out the capon thread. People will help you understand, maybe some videos of the process will help you.

Also, why did the veterinarians question you for owning chickens? That's bizarre.

Hope you feel less-stressed in the near future.