GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[GerbilsOnToast]

The testicle ruptured when being pulled into the straw; 1/3 came on that first try, the second try got another third - and nicked a vein. Mopping him out disturbed the clot & restarted the bleeding, but the portion of testicle was below the level of the blood if I didn't mop him out. It was either close him or kill him...

 

[BCMaraniac]

In this instance, I don't think I would go back in, and would just butcher when you normally would have butchered him. There will be scar tissue in there from the first surgery, and the other testicle could be even more difficult to get because of difficulty accessing it.

 

[GerbilsOnToast]

This is the right testicle; the left came out without a problem; to clarify, he has the back third of the right testicle still in there. It is my understanding that he will still act like a roo, and may still be fertile?

 

[BCMaraniac]

I think the degree to which they act like a roo kinda depends on how much testicle is still in there. They don't fully act like roosters, but can exhibit some of the roo characteristics.

The problem with going back in that there is only a piece of it left, and you may have a really hard time finding it because of the presence of scar tissue. I think you are looking at significant risk.

 

[GerbilsOnToast]

Good point; hadn't thought about the scar tissue. He might best be a donation to a friend's farm, just in case.

 

[Kassaundra]

Even w/o the scar tissue finding 1/3 of a teste that may not be where it is supose to be would probably not be successful anyway. Finding the whole intact ones is challenging enough. The first procedure was complicated by blood loss the bird will need time to recover from, then haveing to go on another fast................... I do not think for me the risk would be worth the slim chance of success and I would just processs at an age when he becomes a nusance.

 

[Kassaundra]

We are going to have another lesson in caponizing soon in the next couple of weeks. I am going to take pics this time as well and we are going to try and do a video of the whole procedure. Is there any pics you specifically need, or any issues or problems you guys are having that would be benefitted or helped by specific pics?

The one question or issue I already have heard about is actually locating landmarks or specific cutting locations, I am going to do my best to try and get pics showing that as clearly as possible.

 

[qajaqkelly]

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:

1. Organs easier to see and recognize than I expected.
2. 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.

 

[Maggiesdad]

Couple of thoughts, qajakelly.

Has the Gelpi been modified to reduce the initial curve and points? Look at the angle of the points at full retraction to get an idea of whether they will be doing unnecessary damage inside the ribcage.

I found it most helpful to make the initial opening between the ribs with a stabbing motion instead of a slice, just enough to insert the gelpi, then begin retraction and use minimal slicing. The tearing motion appears to bleed less and heal quicker than the slicing.

An extra set of hands to utilize the curved pick to puncture and retract the abdominal membrane is helpful.

Rushing is definitely not good, but working smoothly and quickly will minimize the stress on the bird. Also the longer the cavity is open, the more likely it is that blood may obscure your view.

Good lighting is paramount.

I have not mastered the cannula, but have been successful with forceps for removal.

32h NPO seems like a lot to me... I went with no food - 24h, no water 12h, and my guys were ravenous, pulling out each others feathers.

 

[Kassaundra]

Good luck, look forward to your up date w/ pics

We will be doing ours on Tues. (me my mentor and one more bycer) Hopefully pics, and video too. I also plan to keep a photo diary of the chicks as they develop and post them here.