Hello all. Seems to be some activity still on this subject. Sorry I haven't been able to respond, been in AZ running around the mountains. Some interesting points have cropped up recently.
First off, thanks for the feedback.
Anyway, the procedure is done under general anesthesia. I have built some very specialized tools and I have to go into the chest to access the trachea (working through a very small hole) and modify the way the air goes through the syrinx. This is called a syringotomy. The syrinx works like an aired-up balloon that you stretch the neck on to get it to squeek. This does not stop all sounds, but very much lessens the volume of the crow (thats been my experience anyway), They still cackle and crow, just quieter.
There seems to be alot of speculation about the way this procedure modifies the roosters behaviour. The people making these statements are entitled to their opinions, but I'm pretty sure they have not seen these birds after the procedure. I'm telling you my experiences based on observations, nothing more nothing less. I have several birds on my place post surgery. Doing great by the way. My gal raised a few dozen chicks this past spring from her decrowed OE silver duckwing bantam. Also there are pipped eggs from her decrowed Splash Japanese right now in the incubator. There really seems to be no loss of interaction with the hens, or other roos for that matter. I use the word "seems" often because I obviously can not know what goes on in any living thing's mind except my own. Again, only observations. But I would really like to hear from people who have experience with others doing this procedure.
The cost issue is also coming up alot. I think I'm probably going to settle on $150 per bird, and hopefully get some people into trying this. If its too cheap, it'll be abused or not taken seriously. This is a serious but elective procedure, that may in fact save the birds life. Most likely this is for pet, backyard flocks.
Shipping birds is also being questioned here. I just shipped my first bird to New Jersey. He's done well, has a flock of girlfriends now and is probably enjoying life better than at my place. The issue I had was that I paid the USPS for express overnight and it took 2 days to get there. No harm to the bird, but I am going to get a refund. Anyway, I would not sew up the bird and throw him in a shipper, he'd have to stay for a few days of recovery and I'd say a week total turn around time to be sure that he was shipped early in the week and no complications arise. This is something that would be handled on an individual basis of course. Legal issues with shipping poultry are often ignored, most states require negative pullorum or NPIP certified flock and a health paper from your vet. I take this seriously because I think that sick poultry being swapped around could have horrible results in our commercial flocks.
I have the idea or providing decrowed OE bantam, serama etc... (very small birds) as house pets. I figure that there are some people who would like the experience of chickens but very limited space. I dont think it would be much different than parrots or budgies. Just a thought and would like to know if anybody's interested in the novelty.
I tried this on a guinea, did not work, but she's doing fine. I was told this works on pea fowl, supposedly same anatomy.
Anyway, gotta go look at a downed cow. Thanks all.
Dr. James
