capons?

[mamainthewoods]

Hi Folks
Does anyone raise capons anymore? I am interested in buying capons (castrated roosters) to raise and butcher, but I really don't want to do the job myself. The only place I have seen them for sale is MT-DI poultry in PA. They only ship them 100 miles and it would be quite a drive for me to go there.
My in-laws used to buy and raise capons, and I remember them being HUGE and incredibly meaty and juicy. That was back about 20 years ago and it seems they have become hard to find.
I have 7 children and I would love to be able to raise a chicken that could actually feed the whole family without having to cook several at a time.

Any thoughts?

Brenda

 

[CoopCrazy]

I have been lookign as well... I did find a few at the Jayc store around christmas... Maybe see if you can find an ole timer in your area that would do your birds for a flat fee.. You ma try posting a wanted ad on Craigslsit as well

 

[rhoda_bruce]

It does seem to be a dying art. I hatched out 4 dozen chicks which will be 3 weeks old on the 10th. I plan on caponizing them. I'm not sure if I will do it around the 10th, or if I will raise them as roosters and preform the surgery on them dead to gain experience.
I have looked just about everywhere I could locally to find someone to teach me the surgery......vets, 4H leaders, LA co-operative services, universities.....anything; and I came up with nothing. So I'm on my own. I would suggest you do the same. It is possible you can find someone in your area that knows how to do the surgery. If you do, all you need is a bunch of cockerals.
If you come up with nothing, you might reconsider learning it. I would just learn the surgery on a dead animal if you are afraid of a complication or are uncertain about the anatomy.

 

[Sharon Frady]

Rhonda,

Did you caponize your roos. Just wondering how it went. I've looked all over for someone to teach me to no avail. Decided that I'll just have to jump in w/ both feet and do best I can. Win/lose lessons learned.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

If you're interested in doing your own here is the thread you want: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=210041

.....Alan.

 

[Dogfish]

Sharon, is that you from North Fork Rd?

I would love to learn how to caponize. I need to get through my last batch of CX first though.