GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[BCMaraniac]

The very first ones I tried to caponize were abject failures. I lost my first one when I nicked the vena cava, and the other 4 ended up being slips.....in fact I procrastinated killing them until last week because, except for the crowing, there was really no problems. The two roosters in the flock wouldn't let them harass the hens, and they didn't fight. Finally, though, they ganged up on my BCM rooster and I knew I could wait no longer, so I processed them last week. My BCM rooster is happy now, the chicken noodle soup and chicken salad was delicious, there is more chicken in the freezer, and the only crowing now is from real roosters.....

 

[Kassaundra]

Okie Dokie! To the supper table he goes : ) I'll take photos if I find any portion of testes still inside the bird.

I know poco's custom of keeping the testes on a paper towel after removal and making sure they are both got, so that makes me wonder if he is a slip, if maybe the tube connecting the teste some how regrew into a teste????

 

[BCMaraniac]

I couldn't believe that I had left anything in my boys, but sure enough - those with red comb and wattles instead of pink sub-teenager headgear had weird little white marble sized growths in there.

The good thing was, they were still better than intact roosters, and had lots of fat in them from their early days of lounging around.

Next spring I resolve to take a little more ducting with the nugget..

Call me crazy, but I am gonna try some really young ones next year....probably the BCM/LO cross, since it gave me some good sized birds this year.

 

[Kassaundra]

Call me crazy, but I am gonna try some really young ones next year....probably the BCM/LO cross, since it gave me some good sized birds this year.

I also think I am doing it a little on the older side and am going to do my best to do it at a younger age next year.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

I need some birds to try on. That won't even be likely till next spring. That'll give me plenty of time to keep studying up, and order some tools. Right now, money is going out on feline vaccinations and spaying.

 

[BCMaraniac]

I need some birds to try on. That won't even be likely till next spring. That'll give me plenty of time to keep studying up, and order some tools. Right now, money is going out on feline vaccinations and spaying.

Last year, I ordered male chicks with my Red Rangers to begin caponizing. I got all white: Orpingtons, Rocks, and Giants because their feathers are white as is their skin. Of course that was before I realized that my BCMs have white skin too.....just black pin feathers....LOL

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Hi BCM. We just don't have anything to keep any chicks in at the moment. DH is working on finishing up the 2nd chicken tractor, but it is for a breeding duo. I want ti see if I can get some Barred Rock babies. After that, we have nothing to put an order of chicks in. I will just keep reading here and learning as I go along. Both of the first hatches this past summer had too high of a ratio to cockerels and hens.

 

[BCMaraniac]

You can always learn on the extra barred rock babies. I got the white ones from the hatchery because I didn't have an incubator, and didn't realize I was going to have broody hens.......no more hatchery boys for me!!

 

[Bitterroot]

I'm looking forward to trying this in a few months. These threads here on BYC have been an immense help. Thanks to studies of posts here, I've found a couple books to buy, which tool sets to stay away from, and which tools are must-haves in a caponization kit. Found an old montgomery ward set on ebay about a week ago for just about $20 shipped.

I have an order of mixed roosters coming in, in February. I figure I'll see which breed we like best as far as taste, then we'll work on getting a flock together of those to raise for meat and eggs. I'm most excited to try the cuckoo marans.

Thanks for all the sharing and advice. I look forward to being able to contribute my own experiences.

 

[BCMaraniac]

I'm looking forward to trying this in a few months. These threads here on BYC have been an immense help. Thanks to studies of posts here, I've found a couple books to buy, which tool sets to stay away from, and which tools are must-haves in a caponization kit. Found an old montgomery ward set on ebay about a week ago for just about $20 shipped.

I have an order of mixed roosters coming in, in February. I figure I'll see which breed we like best as far as taste, then we'll work on getting a flock together of those to raise for meat and eggs. I'm most excited to try the cuckoo marans.

Thanks for all the sharing and advice. I look forward to being able to contribute my own experiences.

Most all of us are learning here. It's all about learning, successes, failures, and encouraging each other. The broiler industry put the skill and art into obsolescence. Homesteading and BYCers have resulted in its renaissance. I am looking forward to eating my first full capon in 2-3 months

I love my Marans, though mine are blue and black coppers. The capon slips I butchered were delicious, and the Marans eggs are the only ones my hubby will eat. I don't think you will be disappointed with them.