Caponizing

[partsRheavy]

Tools and setup for this are a continuous-improvement sort of thing....

Have found a 4 or 4.5-inch blunt Weitlaner retractor (eBay) to work well as a spreader with larger birds (~15 weeks rather than 8-9). Still experimenting with different removal tools but currently using a tubelike device from an old Geo. Pilling "Philadelphia" set along with 26-ga jewelry/craft wire. The 24-ga that is more common in craft stores gave a little too much resistance when pulled through the tube, which is flat and somewhat bent at one end.

I hear ya on the roos!! The spring weather sure "spurs 'em into action...."

 

[Minniechickmama]

Somebody on another thread said for the young cockerels like I am doing they use fishing line looped through a straw to extract the testes. I need to try that because that big "spoon" they gave me in my kit is too dang big.

 

[partsRheavy]

It is a good idea to try out different tools with different ages of birds. While doing some rather large birds, caponizing buddy and I found that fishing line in a straw or looped through one of those little coffee stirrers (from the convenience store) that has two tubes is too flexible/flimsy compared to wire looped through the metal remover, but others might possibly have success using the straw. I think the little coffee stirrer things are worth adding to the "kit" since they're free.....

I get the feeling from some of the pictures in the old literature that the old-timers tended to do somewhat older birds which is why the remover tool supplied with the kit may be large. Historically there were several types of remover tools developed and patented. If you can get your hands on more than one type, this is a good thing! Also I think it's good to have on hand more than one spreader or retractor ----- since some work best for small cockerels while others work best for larger birds.

It takes persistence and experimentation. It's not an easy thing....certainly not at first.

The question comes to mind, "Why not just leave them be??" If you do that, you will get your answer to THAT question when you see one of your best roo's with a bloody comb...especially during springtime when the flowers mare blooming, you're thinking positive thoughts and hoping the best for everyone.....but the Roo's are thinking about just ONE thing...

 

[Minniechickmama]

I just had a young man stop tonight to ask about chickens and we got to talking about the capons. He asked why and I explained all the reasons I saw fit to try it. Now, he asked if he can come over and learn how to do it.

Maybe I will have to offer a class once I get proficient.

Who'd have thunk it? LOL

I don't think this is anything that should have fallen by the wayside, it is a shame that so many cockerels go to waste when they could be raised as capons and make good eating.

As for the spring fever, if you will. I am tired of bloodied up cockerels and all the girls on edge all of the time and the over-mating of the hens. It isn't just about the meat, it is about maintaining control and making use of what I got.

I have got an air bubble on the cockerel out here I did. I am debating if I should let the air out or just leave it? It will go down on its own, won't it?

 

[naillikwj82]

I've never waited to find out. It will expand to the point that your chick will look like a blow fish with all feathers sticking out. Place the bird on a surface and prick the skin with your scalpel, then work all the air out that you can. Recheck, repeat in two days. How are they doing otherwise?

 

[Minniechickmama]

Doing fine, not eating as much as before, but not as many in the cage. Both the survivor and the pullet are doing as well as I could expect.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Had to re-bleed the air from the capon, but both of last week's birds are doing great. I am integrating them tomorrow.
I have 10 more to do tomorrow morning. Going off water tonight.

 

[Kassaundra]

Awesome, my "class" has been postponed until April probably the last week in April.

 

[Minniechickmama]

I tried 2 last night. The first one died before I got done with the first side. I did not knick the artery, I think it got too cold and the stress did it in. The second one took a while to come around after, but he made it. I decided I am going to wait until they are a little bigger and little more feathered to do more. I moved the first one out with the rest of the birds his age yesterday, into a PVC tractor. I think they did alright, they needed to get out of the brooder and the temps are good for the next 10 days for them to be out.
I will update as I do more. I will try pictures too. In the meantime, I am going to get different tools or modify the ones I have to work better. I did see how I can get the 2 for 1 entry/extraction, but I need to figure out more where the veins and arteries lie inside of there. I will have to contact someone (perhaps my big brother) to get some diagrams to figure that out better.
I did have a young man here observing that wants to learn how to do this. If I get better, I might even offer a class through the Extension or something. I think people should do this more with their extra boys.

Til later....

 

[enel 1]

To save lots of money on this project take the scalpel in the caponizing kit and slit the throats of the males as soon as you can determine the sex. Then take the money and buy roasting chickens at the store.

thats funny...