GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[Shellz]

Sounds like a plan!

 

[Maggiesdad]

6.5 lbs, how old? Live or processed weight?

Woops, should have made that clearer...

That was live weight sans head.

 

[Shellz]

If it was live, wouldn't it have had a head? Lol!
Sorry, couldn't let that pass. Ok then, pre-eviscerated weight. How old was the AWB? Sounds dee-lish!
I'm working on Belgian Malines right now & have a 10 week old cockerel that's just over 4 lbs. - live weight. I'm keeping him for breeding though. I'll have some I can cook up later. I'm anxious to see how they stack up.
Caponizing the boys I won't be using for breeding, sounds like a great idea. I'm just not there yet. I want to do more research & this thread is a big help!

 

[Ken Cook]

It's been a while since I've been here.

The 1st time I tried this I had 50% success rate, 2 out of 4 survived. I did them at 6 weeks of age. Butchered at 10 months and was excellent eating.

The 2nd attempt I tried at age 4 weeks. I DID NOT starve them for 2 nights and 1 day (only over night until the next afternoon). I was not successful. I only attempted 1 bird. He was SMALL (too young) and was not empty. What I mean is there was no room because the GI Tract was not clear and I could not find the testies. I gave up on the 1st bird, he survived. There was 10 to do but they all got a stay of caponization that day. I killed them at about 5 months of age because the were attacking the 2 capons. I should have tried on that bunch again a week later but I lost my nerve.

Now the reason for my post. I have 11 Dark Cornish males that will be 7 weeks old tomorrow. They were seperated at dark last night so they will be ready tomorrow morning.

I think I was right to stop the 2nd attempt. However I should be good to go this time, there will be no turning back.

 

[Kassaundra]

It's been a while since I've been here.

The 1st time I tried this I had 50% success rate, 2 out of 4 survived. I did them at 6 weeks of age. Butchered at 10 months and was excellent eating.

The 2nd attempt I tried at age 4 weeks. I DID NOT starve them for 2 nights and 1 day (only over night until the next afternoon). I was not successful. I only attempted 1 bird. He was SMALL (too young) and was not empty. What I mean is there was no room because the GI Tract was not clear and I could not find the testies. I gave up on the 1st bird, he survived. There was 10 to do but they all got a stay of caponization that day. I killed them at about 5 months of age because the were attacking the 2 capons. I should have tried on that bunch again a week later but I lost my nerve.

Now the reason for my post. I have 11 Dark Cornish males that will be 7 weeks old tomorrow. They were seperated at dark last night so they will be ready tomorrow morning.

I think I was right to stop the 2nd attempt. However I should be good to go this time, there will be no turning back.

Good luck, yes the fasting period is very important. When I did my last batch it was soooo hot that by the end of the day I felt sorry for the last ones and let them drink water (I was worried they would get to hot and dehydrated) anyway big mistake b/c even just water filled the GI to the point I wasn't able to locate the teste on those boys.

 

[naillikwj82]

Maggiesdad- What was the finished weight of the Breese? What was the age?

Ken Cook- Yes, you were correct not to continue with your second attempt, it would not have ended well, and you may have become too discouraged to try again. If your current DC birds are 7 weeks that should put them about 18 ounces which is my ideal target weight for caponizing. Plan your procedure, and follow your plan. Good Luck.

 

[Ken Cook]

Ok, Done Deal!

Nine out of ten did fine. The last one did not. That's 90%, a good improvement from my last try of 50%.

I found the "valley", or place to cut. Once I was sure of the right area it got easier. I found it important to cut closer to the spine. A little lower and you lose the ribs (retractor) and have more intrails to move out of the way.

The 1st one took about 40 mins. I took a break and re-read the info and pics here. I read it just before I started but it really helped after I got a good look inside the 1st victim/patient to read it again. The last 9 took about 15 mins each including cleaning the tools between patients.

The last one started to bleed just as I finished the second testie. He seemed weak and pretty limp after I untied him but was still breathing and would open his eys. I let him sit about 10 mins before I was sure he was a goner.

Again thanks to all here and especially Kassaundra for starting and keeping this thread going.

 

[Kassaundra]

Your very welcome. I am glad you had such great success!!! Every time you learn something that helps make the next time even better. As good as it feels now just imagine how good it is going to feel when you sit down to your capon dinner.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Excellent thread topic!

I subscribed to it. Time to learn more about this chicken raising thing.

 

[BCMaraniac]

I'm thinking I'll put a leg band on each leg for the side that was a known slip. So no leg band will mean a full capon.

I used small zip ties on the legs, and color-coded them.