GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[Mosey2003]

You're fine

 

[Mosey2003]

I'm up to page 216 of my re-read here. Now I'm getting really antsy and wish my tools were here already!

I found this clamp lamp on Amazon and added it to my cart, I think this will be just right for me. I don't like the idea of a headlamp, if I'm trying to have fine motor control with my fingers, thinking about turning my head is gonna discombobulate me
https://smile.amazon.com/Clip-Light-Reading-Lights-Brightness/dp/B07NKRPZXN/

I do have two or three male chicks at my friend's house and she said we can totally try to caponize them when the tools come in (though she absolutely refuses to do any of the cutting, etc she's interested to watch). They'll be 10 weeks old the first week of January, and my tools are supposed to arrive between Dec. 20th and Jan 2nd, so we will see.

 

[CindyinSD]

I got some lighted magnifying glasses for DH a few years ago. Silly man... I practically have to stick them on his face to get him to use them, but they do help when he’s working on some tiny project. I’ve used them a couple times. I feel like I need that magnification so I figured I’d try them since we have them already.

The clip-on light looks like a great idea. I don’t think I’d have a table or bench that would take the clip though. That’s always my challenge with clip-on/clamp-on things.

Lucky you, having some cockerels to practice on! Take some pics if you can. I’ll try to get some photos of my turkeys when I do them. Life is conspiring against me getting them done, I think, but soon...

 

[Kusanar]

The clip-on light looks like a great idea. I don’t think I’d have a table or bench that would take the clip though. That’s always my challenge with clip-on/clamp-on things.

We had a meat grinder that clamped onto the table, we did not want to damage the table, so we put a sheet of plywood on the table and clamped to that. May be something you could do. Maybe even with ropes crossed over the wood to hold everything steady.

 

[Mosey2003]

I'm thinking of using my dog grooming table. Which is stupid that I ordered that light, because it has an arm and I could have just hung a light, duh

Oh well, this light I ordered can sit down lower and I can look through the center of it. It was only $14.

 

[CindyinSD]

IMO, you can never have too many lights. Light makes everything easier. I bought the music stand someone linked fairly late in this thread... the link (to my surprise) still worked. Heavy Duty Music Stand

I like all the holes (for potentially hooking bungee cords) while still maintaining a fairly solid surface, plus the ability to angle it for the best access to the bird. Then there’s the ledge for retaining tools. I need to go take it out of the box and see how solid it is... I didn’t want to because it’s so neatly packaged and compact. Dummy! What if something’s missing or bent badly or something. Just a sec...

 

[CindyinSD]

Yup, the music stand is exactly as described on Amazon. Very nice; sturdy and heavy. I’ll be able to use it either standing or sitting.

As long as I’m taking pictures, here are the tools I’ve got so far. When I ordered these I didn’t realize I was going to be able to get the Chinese set.

Two retractors below... the top one came with the antique kit. I think it might be the better of the two. The bottom one I ordered separately. I can’t remember what it’s called. I’ll need to blunt the tips before using it. They’re a little sharp, I think. It’s a 3.5” Gelpi retractor. The total was $9.04. I just figured that the more tools I have ready, the less likely I am to fail my little birdies for lack of resources.

I probably won’t use these restraints and scalpel, but they came with the kit, so just for general interest... The book isn’t terribly helpful. I’m glad it’s not my only source of information.

Here’s a side view to show the end parts of this tool, which appears to be for grasping the testicle.

The bottom two items are blade holders that came with the scalpel blades I ordered. The blades are all individually packaged and sterile, so I haven’t tried them out.

Here’s how the blades come packaged.

 

[Mosey2003]

Oh cool! The antique retractor actually doesn't look terrible to me.

I've got a box of size 15 blades on the way. I have a box of 20's, but I think the smaller ones will do me well for this, and I have other uses for the 20's anyway. I like to use a pair of needle nose pliers to put them on and off the handle, I grab them by the bottom long side.

Table looks good too!

 

[CindyinSD]

I like to use a pair of needle nose pliers to put them on and off the handle, I grab them by the bottom long side.

Good to know. I’ve never used them, but they seem more affordable than exacto knife blades.

 

[CindyinSD]

My Chinese kit arrived today! I’m working on a little hospital coop/tractor so the pics are kinda rough’n’ready, but here’s a glimpse. There’s also a bobbin of thread that feels like fine gauge upholstery thread. The tools aren’t high quality, but it looks like they’ll work all right, and go on working, so that’s what matters. I was disappointed that there was no cute chicken logo on the box, like in the ad, but you can’t have everything.