This may be my first post, I don't remember.
Sunday is the day!
I have been reading on this topic for 2 years, the original thread, the Chinese Capon's thread and now this one. I ordered "Modern Poultry Husbandry" by Leonard Robinson from the UK two years ago, downloaded everything I could find on the web, read, and reread them all. I do appreciate the suggestions for the Gelpi Retractor instead of the spring retractors. I have assembled my own kit from what others have said they liked. So, Gelpi Retractor 3.5", curved Dental Pick, Scalpel with Blades, and made my own Canula from brass hobby tube and Beekeeper's wire make up my kit. I will take my boys off food and water tomorrow (Friday) night and the procedure is Sunday morning.
That being said, I bought from a poultry auction 3.5 weeks ago 12 sex links aging from about 1.5-4 weeks. I separated out the white "cockerels" 2 weeks ago and they have been in their own enclosure. One other had both red and white colorings, but he started to develop a red comb, so I decided last night to add him to the other 4 "cockerels". They pecked him to death
, so when I found him this afternoon, I decided to put my new kit to work (retractors just arrived in mail today and needed sharp tips ground down and rounded, which I did). He was a little stiff (OK, a lot stiff) and his intestines had not been evacuated, but I proceeded. The first side was no problem to see testicle, slippery little bugger about the size of a grain of white rice and a buff color easily distinguishable from surrounding red and gray innards. The other side was beat up badly by the pecking and I went one rib too far forward. Lots of internal hemorrhaging but testicle was visible, but toward tail. No problem, since he was already deceased, I just made another incision. (Note to self, measure twice, cut once). Easier to remove testicle this time even with full intestines and one success under my belt. Incisions did not close up due to his previous demise. I could not evaluate whether I had damaged the artery as no blood could flow, but I don't think I did on either side.
Observations:
- Organs easier to see and recognize than I expected.
- Take all the time needed. Everything I have read indicates that the bird will experience some pain from the incision (similar to other injuries they would endure in a normal life) and some when the testicle is pulled away, but other than that, just the discomfort of being strapped to a table not being able to move. So rushing will not decrease, but will likely increase pain, or result in death. Take all the time you need. Count and double count the ribs. No rush here.
Regarding my Sex link chicks. Two out of the four white "cockerels" do not have any development to their comb, so may be pullets (if so then not sex link as sold). Several of my red "pullets" have a red developing comb, so may be cockerels (if so then not sex links as sold).
My plan for Sunday: Since I was able to practice on an already dead bird, I will forgo my original plans to dispatch my largest cockerel and proceed with caponizations on both of the known white cockerels. I will open up one of my white "pullets"? and if truly a pullet, then I will know I was deceived at the auction, close up and move on.
Lesson learned. She will be fine, more so than the cockerels. Then if my suspicions hold true, I will start with my red "pullets" with the developing combs. All possible subjects will be removed from food and water Friday eve. I have a couple of friends who raise poultry who will be there to observe/help, and we plan to video as well as take lots of pictures. If that plan works out, I will post what I can here for others to learn from my successes or failures.
