Caponizing Tools

[AllynTal]

Did you see this?

https://www.amazon.com/Cockerel-Cap...dp/B01BJF8SVW?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Those tools -- like so many of the caponizing kits -- look like junk and the reviews reveal it as such. I have a proper anatomy student's dissection kit and a Weitlaner retractor on the way to me and the total paid was less than the caponizing kits.

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

Read this thread.

Yes, I did read that thread with interest.

 

[AllynTal]

Well, I have a report for what it is worth. I am happy with the tools and retractor. They seem good quality at least plenty good enough for my purposes. The tips on the forceps meet tightly with no misalignment, and overall, the weight feels good in my hand. The tools are stainless steel and clean up nicely. However, I can't make a comparison since these are the only tools I've used. Judging from the reviews, though, I feel like this was a good call instead of getting the commonly available caponizing tools for which the reviews are so bad.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I've been looking at the same retractor...so after your posts I bought it.

The link to the kit that you selected doesn't seem to be working. When I try to use it I get a "Page Not Found" error message.

Informative thread so far...

 

[AllynTal]

...The link to the kit that you selected doesn't seem to be working. When I try to use it I get a "Page Not Found" error message.

Sorry. Maybe I borked the copy-and-paste on the URL.

Here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012BNXIH0

 

[Fat Daddy]

I decided to walk a similar path Allyn. I bought a dissection kit as well as a separate retractor. I researched and decided to try a different style of retractor thou. I forget the name of it but I watched several videos of it in use..... I plan to butcher a bunch of birds and practice on these to kinda figure out just how the skunk eats cabbage.... Here's a pic of the tools...

 

[AllynTal]

I decided to walk a similar path Allyn. I bought a dissection kit as well as a separate retractor. I researched and decided to try a different style of retractor thou. I forget the name of it but I watched several videos of it in use..... I plan to butcher a bunch of birds and practice on these to kinda figure out just how the skunk eats cabbage.... Here's a pic of the tools...

Same basic tools, it looks like. In all the videos I watched there were several different retractors used, so I imagine it's just a matter of finding which one suits each of us best. The one I got, I got on a recommendation in one of the threads here. The most complaints I've seen on the retractors are that they don't lock or won't stay locked. This one works as I expect it to, so for now, I'm okay with it. The tools aren't expensive, so if I have to try a few of them to find one I like best, it's no big deal.

Give us a report when you have something to tell.

 

[NHWynns]

Any updates?

I am looking at going this route. A dissection kit with retractor.

I also hope to try and make my own extractor. But that won't be until I start trying caponizing next year.

I am real interested to know if the 4x3 Weitlaner retractor or the 3x2 retractor is the best size.
Just looking for an update.
//Paul

 

[Maeschak]

I'd enjoy an update too!

 

[AllynTal]

Any updates?

I am looking at going this route. A dissection kit with retractor.

I also hope to try and make my own extractor. But that won't be until I start trying caponizing next year.

I am real interested to know if the 4x3 Weitlaner retractor or the 3x2 retractor is the best size.
Just looking for an update.
//Paul

I'd enjoy an update too!

I don't have anything new to report. I have a dozen cockerels atm, but I need to let them mature to select breeding stock so no capons out of this bunch. So far, I am happy with my Weitlaner retractor. It seems like the retractor is a big to-each-his-own tool, so there's really no way of saying which is "best" since each person has to decide which one is best for them. My Weitlander stays locked, which is the complaint I see most about other retractors that they don't stay locked in position. Other than that, the dissection kit has a good-quality scalpel handle that takes disposable blades -- which are easy enough to find at Tractor Supply. The only thing I'm going to consider for my next round of caponizing is to make my own removal tool with a straw and a loop of fishing line. For now, I'm just waiting for spring when I pick my breeding rooster(s) and then the cockerels after that will be capons.

 

[NHWynns]

I wish I had experience...

In researching better tools for caponizing, I ran across this website for surgical tools: Blacksmith Surgical. The catalogs are awesome (open the pdf file, don't just click on the icon) for showing all kinds of tools. Really helped with seeing the different retractors available.

Almost everything is available through e-bay or amazon. For less than the Nasco Kit, you can get some very cool and higher quality stuff.

Unfortunately I haven't done it (caponizing) yet, so I have no idea of sizes and what would be best.
Some things I have looked at today:
Enucleation Spoon
Babcock Forceps 6"
Eves Tonsil Snare
Desjardins Hemostatic Forceps
or maybe the Negus is more appropriate. it comes in different curvatures.
The Pennington, Ballenger, and Allis forceps look interesting too for grabbing the testicle.

Don't forget to look and the Ophthalmology catalog too.

Allyn: I have the same dissection kit in my basket as you. After looking at all the other comparable size / cost kits, I think I will be happy with that kit. That only leaves a retractor and something to grab the testes with. I am pretty sure I am going to go with the same retractor as you.