GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[Squamate Farmer]

Good for you! Even if you did not get very far, the active learning is started. Did you get as far as opening the bird up and looking for the testicles?

High strung bird or not, mine always fuss when I pluck the feathers and they always have some sort of reaction when I make the incision. Sometimes there are some thoughts on the spreader, but once I'm in, the protesting stops. The first steps definitely take some getting used to, much like killing them does. I'm not a big fan of either process, but I find my disconnect and get the job done.

I am much better at the doing, watching someone else do surgery makes me feel like I'm going to pass out. Something about actually doing the procedure keeps my empathy response in the background, but watching it....chances are pretty good I'll fall out or get real close to it.

I was just sitting outside watching a bunch of young upstarts sassing each other. Looks like there's a caponizing weekend on the near horizon.

 

[Rose-adamaj]

No, I did not get all the way in and actually look for / see a testicle. I didn't realize it was normal for them to react to the incision, thank you so much for telling me!
I had him tied down for a couple of hours and that's all the further I got, lol.
When I decided that we both had enough for one day, I kept his feet tied, and picked him up by his wings. I wanted to get the other side plucked - and that was when I saw 'it', I clearly saw the indentation described in the pictures on page one.
Things happen in the strangest ways! My incision was pretty good placement. If I had had the guts (pun intended) I might have been successful.
Yes, the first time I killed one, it went kind of like today.
I definitely have more confidence for the next attempt.
Thank you Squamate Farmer for positive feedback, it really does make me feel better about today

Rose

 

[Squamate Farmer]

I'm glad. It's a nerve wracking learning curve, no question. You will probably kill more by accident, perhaps it'll help to consider it a processing day and be ready to bleed out the mistakes. I did mine around 10-12 weeks at first, my penchant for hitting that artery was pretty bad and at that age they had some meat to them. I do them around 5-6 weeks old now, but I do have a couple of 3 week olds out there that I'm going to add to the prep pen this weekend. I've read about people doing them at 10-12 days...I doubt my aging eyes would be able to handle that without surgical loupes!

It's all going to be worth it when you pull that fine capon out of the oven this fall!

Julie

 

[Kassaundra]

Congrats to the recent successes, and for the less then successful outcomes, at least you learned from it and will have better outcomes next time.

So many positives for keeping on trying for sure, the meat is one, but the peacefulness until you get the meat is another!

 

[Rose-adamaj]

Julie,
The guy I tried this morning turned 13 weeks yesterday. I can't imagine trying to caponize a 6 week old, much less 3 weeks! But like you said, the learning curve. I am sure when I try next time it will be easier, especially now that I know to expect him to object, lol. At least the plucking is done, and that will cut down my 'start time'.
Thank you Kassaundra, I definitely want the peacefulness.
Rose

 

[Deerfield Acres]

Julie,
The guy I tried this morning turned 13 weeks yesterday. I can't imagine trying to caponize a 6 week old, much less 3 weeks! But like you said, the learning curve. I am sure when I try next time it will be easier, especially now that I know to expect him to object, lol. At least the plucking is done, and that will cut down my 'start time'.
Thank you Kassaundra, I definitely want the peacefulness.
Rose

Congrats on having that first attempt behind you!

I didn't make it past working on the dead bird. I was so intimidated by how small it was at 4 weeks. My retractors were just too large for that little bird. They look a lot bigger on the outside than they do on the inside!

I'm waiting till 7 or 8 weeks and will try again.

Hang in there!

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Ok, attempt 1 is now complete.
1) the bird is still alive
2) the bird still has both testicles
3) I will make another attempt later this week
4) it would be so much easier with someone covering his
head
5) I learned A LOT
6) I'm hoping the next attempt goes better
7) from reading I know I am dealing with a high strung bird,
and it is supposed to be much easier with a layed back
bird
8) it definitely bothered him when I plucked feathers
9) it bothered him even more when I made the incision - he
tried to jump, I definitely jumped
10) it would be even easier if someone else did it!!!
Rose

Good try! I had to 'sock' an EE the other day! Get a small pair of socks that look a bit too small (the stretch will help it stay on). He will be able to breath just fine, and it will calm both of you I'm sure!
The feather plucking (maybe do him before) and initial incision and the rib spreaders are the worst part.

 

[Neuport]

I have used both a wash cloth laid over their head or an ankle sock. Both worked o.k. The sock stayed on better.

 

[jbkirk]

Well I successfully caponized a another male today.

 

[Neuport]

Congrats