GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:

Looking forward to the results.

 

[BCMaraniac]

Looking forward to the results.

I am hoping and praying for success....

 

[Sakmeht]

For those that are thinking of doing caponizing for others to bring in some extra money, how
much do you think you would charge per rooster? How much would you be willing to pay
to have it done if you couldn't do it yourself? Just curious.

 

[naillikwj82]

It would be more advantageous to teach the skills to those needing the assistance. They then become independent, and can then also pass the skills forward. They can bring thier birds to class.
jeff

 

[AxisOfBeagles]

A relative newcomer to BYC, I'd like to add my applause and appreciation to Kassaundra for starting this discussion and sharing her knowledge and experience, and to the many others for adding theirs. I haven't attempted caponizing yet - but am determined to do next year. This year I had to harvest another 6 roosters who simply weren't big enough yet but who had to be taken before their behaviors harmed the flock. And as I did so I kept thinking "I've GOT to learn to make capons". This discussion has both taught me, and inspired me. Thanks to you all.

 

[BCMaraniac]

A relative newcomer to BYC, I'd like to add my applause and appreciation to Kassaundra for starting this discussion and sharing her knowledge and experience, and to the many others for adding theirs. I haven't attempted caponizing yet - but am determined to do next year. This year I had to harvest another 6 roosters who simply weren't big enough yet but who had to be taken before their behaviors harmed the flock. And as I did so I kept thinking "I've GOT to learn to make capons". This discussion has both taught me, and inspired me. Thanks to you all.

Welcome to BYC and this thread. We have learned a lot from each other and continue to do so as we share our experiences with one another.

 

[Kassaundra]

Welcome to BYC and this thread. We have learned a lot from each other and continue to do so as we share our experiences with one another.

X2

 

[Sakmeht]

It would be more advantageous to teach the skills to those needing the assistance. They then become independent, and can then also pass the skills forward. They can bring thier birds to class.
jeff

I agree that teaching would be a part of the service, but honestly, for those that live on a farm and have experience and need to bring in a little extra income, I think it's fair to ask the question: What would you charge to do the surgery? As a "customer", what would you be willing to pay? I'm not talking about charging an arm and a leg like a vet would, but I would think someone might be willing to pay $50 to have their rooster caponized and to learn how to do it themselves at the same time.

Sarita

 

[AletaG]

It would be more advantageous to teach the skills to those needing the assistance. They then become independent, and can then also pass the skills forward. They can bring thier birds to class.
jeff

I agree that teaching would be a part of the service, but honestly, for those that live on a farm and have experience and need to bring in a little extra income, I think it's fair to ask the question: What would you charge to do the surgery? As a "customer", what would you be willing to pay? I'm not talking about charging an arm and a leg like a vet would, but I would think someone might be willing to pay $50 to have their rooster caponized and to learn how to do it themselves at the same time.

Sarita

If someone wanted their 'pet pretty' to keep in a yard, seems like 20$ for the procedure (It really is only a minute or 2), maybe 10 more if you are the one keeping it before and after surgery for a few days. That's if they don't want to learn how, just want to have a pretty boy in the yard.

I did find someone who wants to teach. I think he'd probably be more interested in me bringing him the occasional capon as a thank-you, but he's financially set. Eventually, I'd like to do something similar. I'd probably accept caponed birds in trade. Like, bring 8 roosters, I'll capon 2 or 3, then you do the rest, and I keep 4. Since 4 4 or 5lb dressed capons would be 'worth' up to 20$ each or so (where I live, provided you were USDA and could sell them), I don't think 50$ would be off base for the same lesson, where they kept the birds. I know in the Portland area they have workshops where people learn to dress their own chickens out, and they pay decent money. All you can do is guess what it might be worth, offer, and see if the market is there and will take it.

If someone wanted you to caponize their birds for food, remember you aren't paying for their feed, and your investment is knowledge, tools, and time. While you don't want to undervalue yourself, I think very, very few will invest more than a couple dollars (and even that's stretching it) to capon a bird they then have to raise/feed/protect and butcher. It might well be worth more, if the deal was that you also butchered and dressed them when they were of age...
Just me, thinking out loud, 'cause I've thought about this too.
-AG

 

[Angelicisi]

Why do hens? Just curious
You both should (probably already do!) Keep really good records on everything. Picture records like your doing and instructional is supurb information!
You are taking on a lost art that could be utilized greatly in an urban setting today.

Good luck with the younger ones.  The four week old ones that I caponized are doing well and growing.  They are 14-15 weeks old, and so far there only appears to be one slip.

I have grown out 5 pullets  that are 14-15 weeks(same hatch), so I am give poulardizing another go in the next week or so, and concentrating on locating the oviduct so I can remove part of it instead of the ovary to stop any further sexual development.  I'll let you know how it goes.