Cream Legbars

[lonnyandrinda]

Well, I have found a solution for my excess cockerels that I cannot sell. I intend to caponize them. During the first weekend on of March, I worked with a mentor to caponize nine marans cockerels. I own the "Chinese tools" which make the process easier. So the excess cockerels will grow out as fatter, heavier, laid back, non-crowing, tender capons for the table. If anyone is interested in learning to caponize there is an excellent thread on BYC and some great teachers/mentors for learning this old time art.

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

I have a friend who is going to teach me to caponize this summer. She had a class last month on it but I was unable to attend. Looking forward to it!

 

[LindaB220]

Well, I have found a solution for my excess cockerels that I cannot sell. I intend to caponize them. During the first weekend on of March, I worked with a mentor to caponize nine marans cockerels. I own the "Chinese tools" which make the process easier. So the excess cockerels will grow out as fatter, heavier, laid back, non-crowing, tender capons for the table. If anyone is interested in learning to caponize there is an excellent thread on BYC and some great teachers/mentors for learning this old time art.

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

Hey Hapless I was going to ovate you but I'm not getting through. So consider youself ovated. I'm going to do the same. Good luck with yours.

 

[HaplessRunner]

I have a friend who is going to teach me to caponize this summer. She had a class last month on it but I was unable to attend. Looking forward to it!

Rinda,

Out there in Oklahoma, near where you live, are some of the best folks around who teach caponizing. I have heard nothing but accolades for that class they put on. So by all means take advantage of the next class they offer or see if you can get time with a mentor to learn. For me to travel from Virginia was prohibitive. But I have a friend and mentor here in Virginia that helped me to learn caponizing.

Tony

 

[Rancher3535]

What age do you capon your birds? I have heard you had to do it like at 6-8 weeks old but not sure. I have often wanted to learn so I could make better use of male birds.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Rinda,

Out there in Oklahoma, near where you live, are some of the best folks around who teach caponizing. I have heard nothing but accolades for that class they put on. So by all means take advantage of the next class they offer or see if you can get time with a mentor to learn. For me to travel from Virginia was prohibitive. But I have a friend and mentor here in Virginia that helped me to learn caponizing.

Tony

This lady is fairly new to it, last month was her first time to give a class. I don't know where she learned it. But there are several in the area who do it yes. The first class went really well, no one lost a single bird. She says the trick is knowing when you're over your head and stop. Not all of hers are complete capons, if she feels there is too much risk she will either only do a partial removal or just stop and stitch them up.

What age do you capon your birds? I have heard you had to do it like at 6-8 weeks old but not sure. I have often wanted to learn so I could make better use of male birds.

Yes my friend says that is perfect age. That is her preferred age but she says it is fairly easy up to about 12 weeks old. If you wait until they are adults you have a few problems- the testicles can be very large making it difficult or impossible to remove the entire thing, and they just don't recover as quickly.

 

[cleansquared]

My roo got really bad frost bite but his comb was 3-4 inches tall before that mabye thats why they get hit so hard. I had a heat lamp in the barn to help but I guess it was not enough. Its an old drafty non insulated. Barn. So I would guess if you want to show you would need an insulated/ lightly heated space for them at least in kansas any ways se kansas

 

[HaplessRunner]

My roo got really bad frost bite but his comb was 3-4 inches tall before that mabye thats why they get hit so hard. I had a heat lamp in the barn to help but I guess it was not enough. Its an old drafty non insulated. Barn. So I would guess if you want to show you would need an insulated/ lightly heated space for them at least in kansas any ways se kansas

That is certainly part of the problem. The other part is that the tissue in the cream legbar comb and wattles is thinner than other breeds. This thinness makes them even more susceptible to frostbite.

 

[CibolaChooks]

One of my light males

What does everyone do with their extra males?

the next exlarge bullsnake i catch im keeping

 

[enola]

the next exlarge bullsnake i catch im keeping

I have a corn snake that I feed my male sex link chicks to. ....

 

[HaplessRunner]

I have a corn snake that I feed my male sex link chicks to. ....

the next exlarge bullsnake i catch im keeping

LOL- Just what my DW would want a snake for a pet.