GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[Poco Pollo]

For those who ordered tools: I have confirmation that tools have been purchased and will be packed today (in China) and shipped to me tomorrow. I don't have a tracking number yet.

I put some capons in the freezer yesterday. For those who have not butchered capons yet, I wanted to share some photos of the wonderful marbling of fat you'll see on capons. They're perfect for roasting (even the smaller ones), as the fat layer makes the meat juicy and tender. This one was about four pounds. He was hard to fit into a freezer bag. I'll probably do the next batch at 3.5 pounds.

 

[Pensmaster]

Thank you for the tool update and the progress report on the capons.
I'm Hoping to use my Legbars for eggs and meat if I get the process down. Any thoughts on caponized Legbar roosters for meat? I have dp for meat just not enough eggs for feed efficiency. It would be next year before I have any Legbars for processing so just thinking out loud here. We don't need a large amount of meat for us per meal.

 

[elsiebb]

For anybody who missed the most recent tool order and wants some, I have a double set I got through this thread a year and a half ago that I no longer need. I'd be happy to resell. (My Bresse project has come to an end.)

 

[Poco Pollo]

Thank you for the tool update and the progress report on the capons.
I'm Hoping to use my Legbars for eggs and meat if I get the process down. Any thoughts on caponized Legbar roosters for meat? I have dp for meat just not enough eggs for feed efficiency. It would be next year before I have any Legbars for processing so just thinking out loud here. We don't need a large amount of meat for us per meal.

Here's a photo of a cream legbar capon with a cream brabanter hen in the background. Legbar capons become quite tasty : ) They are a crafter's dream for feathers as well.

 

[Pensmaster]

This looks promising. I'm going to have to rethink my birds. I have a couple leghorn roosters I'll be working with for caponizing and then on to my dp roosters. I ended up with a trio of Legbars from a hatch I recently did with eggs from a friend. The auto sexing part actually worked with these three. He was having trouble in his line with it working. The crafting part is a plus for sure.

 

[gregg3]

Trying not to get too far ahead of myself here, but does anyone incubate / hatch in the winter? My coop is maxed out (and then some) at 38 birds ranging from 3 months to 1.5 years right now, but tomorrow I'm going to harvest several cockerels and take a few pullets to the in-laws. In the following weeks I expect to harvest my oldest hens when they begin to molt and by December be down to 10-15 total including hens, capons, and my Roo. I wouldn't mind getting a new batch of chicks hatched to grow for meat but I've never read much about winter hatching. Pros? Cons?

 

[QueenMisha]

Trying not to get too far ahead of myself here, but does anyone incubate / hatch in the winter? My coop is maxed out (and then some) at 38 birds ranging from 3 months to 1.5 years right now, but tomorrow I'm going to harvest several cockerels and take a few pullets to the in-laws. In the following weeks I expect to harvest my oldest hens when they begin to molt and by December be down to 10-15 total including hens, capons, and my Roo. I wouldn't mind getting a new batch of chicks hatched to grow for meat but I've never read much about winter hatching. Pros? Cons?

It's pretty similar to summer hatching, if you're using an incubator. The only real difference is that you have to wait longer to send the chicks outside. Don't do it unless you have a garage/laundry room and a big cage or pen for them until they're feathered out.

 

[gregg3]

I have two XL dog crates for brooding and the Brinsea Octagon incubator and Ecoglow brooder. I have used the Ecoglow to brood in the coop (sectioned off) in the past but my grand vision was a half hatch (10 or so chicks) to brood in the garage for 2-3 weeks and then move the Ecoglow to the coop and see how they do. Worst case they could stay in the garage for a few months but I like at least some in coop brooding to help with flock integration.

 

[Pensmaster]

I have in the past and will again just not this year. I'm set for meat birds till spring barring no varmits. I start inside till hatched then off to garage with a box wrapped in moving blankets and a heating plate with adjustable legs borrowed from neighbors. I also put in a light 24 hours for a couple weeks then put on a timer. My chicks go into their own coop so I don't worry about integrating them.

 

[forgetful]

For anybody who missed the most recent tool order and wants some, I have a double set I got through this thread a year and a half ago that I no longer need. I'd be happy to resell. (My Bresse project has come to an end.)

Is this still available? How much are you selling for?