Capons

[BCMaraniac]

I have only done one brahma but I think Sunday, since I have nothing better to do, I will caponize a couple brahmas. All the other ones were hatchery R.I.R. from Mt. healthy since when you order so many you 25 for free.

The ones I am caponizing this weekend are French Black and Blue Copper Marans. I already have a rooster, and these are out of the same hatch as some new breeders. They are already getting quite a bit of substance to them even though they are 8 weeks old. After that I am caponizing some extra White Bresse cockerels, which I am really looking forward to growing out.

 

[HogmanGoat]

I caponized at 7 and 10 weeks from 2 different hatches. Just sprayed the cuts with blue coat. They seemed to heal just fine. Hope your procedures go well.

 

[Elke Beck]

The ones I am caponizing this weekend are French Black and Blue Copper Marans. I already have a rooster, and these are out of the same hatch as some new breeders. They are already getting quite a bit of substance to them even though they are 8 weeks old. After that I am caponizing some extra White Bresse cockerels, which I am really looking forward to growing out.

I am looking forward to hearing how it goes.

 

[patknc]

Does anyone have information on "where" or "who" I might contact to learn to caponize?

All the information here is excellent and appreciated!

 

[brahmabreeder]

Do what I did. Practice on a dead bird. You might want to do it quickly after they die. Otherwise they get all stiff.

 

[patknc]

Thank you for the suggestion.

Actually, I did practice on a dead one first. Then I tried on 2 live ones. I was not able to locate the testes on either of the live ones but was successful, in that neither of the live ones died. They both recovered within a couple hours and were back to normal the next day. No doubt, my incision was not in the correct area ~ maybe too low/far away from the backbone.

I'd feel much more comfortable having someone instruct me as I do it.

 

[Elke Beck]

Thank you for the suggestion.

Actually, I did practice on a dead one first. Then I tried on 2 live ones. I was not able to locate the testes on either of the live ones but was successful, in that neither of the live ones died. They both recovered within a couple hours and were back to normal the next day. No doubt, my incision was not in the correct area ~ maybe too low/far away from the backbone.

I'd feel much more comfortable having someone instruct me as I do it.

I'm with you! I would love to learn, but the thought of experimenting on a live bird with no one to help me gives me the willies. I don't want to just muddle through without someone to tell me what I am doing wrong. Also, the birds that I can practice on have been the ones I was butchering, and they have huge testes. I want to caponize them young, and it is a lot different working on a 6-pound bird than a 1-pound bird.

 

[HogmanGoat]

Working on the live birds is unnerving at first, but once you accept that the birds may not all make it the work will get easier. I have been working with a guy around Atlanta that has helped me. Private message me and I will share his contact if you are in the area.

 

[Elke Beck]

Working on the live birds is unnerving at first, but once you accept that the birds may not all make it the work will get easier. I have been working with a guy around Atlanta that has helped me. Private message me and I will share his contact if you are in the area.

Thanks, HogmanGoat, but I am on the West coast, so it would be a bit of a trek. Although, I have never been to Atlanta, and it would be a great vacation...

But not at this time.

I think what I am going to do is buy 25 dual purpose cockerels this fall and try it out. The spare boys are usually cheap, so there will not be a big loss if I bungle it. And with that big of group I will be able to get enough experience that I will feel more comfortable.

 

[HogmanGoat]

Sounds good. There are some YouTube videos that were helpful.