GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[BCMaraniac]

Hey BCMaraniac! How soon does this boy check out? He looks great! My Australorp goes soon...

So I take it the lack of 'nads suppresses the expression of copper? That is interesting... do you have pics of uncut boys from the same hatch?

MD, he's a mutt. He is a cross between my BCM hen and my Lavender Orpington layer flock protector....I didn't have a BCM roo at the time. I just put eggs that were laying on the counter under a broody BCM hen. I don't have any purebred Marans capons......yet. Hopefully next year. However, the BCM/LO cross really seems to produce some big birds. I might have to try that again!

He is 26 weeks old today, so I am probably not going to processe him for a while. In all honesty, I would love to see how he grows out to 9-10 months of age. Do you think he could end up 10 pounds dressed? I would probably have to have a photo op if he did!!

What are you expecting weight-wise from your Australorp?

 

[Kassaundra]

I just have the young capons from this past hatch

 

[BCMaraniac]

I just have the young capons from this past hatch

They are really cute.....the ones with more white kinda look like they have some Delaware in them. Have you been breeding NN's long?

 

[naillikwj82]

At the local Safeway, and QFC grocery stores Iowa capons are 8 pounds at $3.49 per pound. Prior to making our own we would purchase these. The very best of a commercial bird.

As to the size of backyard capons unless your filling them with rocks or altering the scales, you will be hard pressed to achieve a live wieght of 10 pounds even at nine months. Check the top SOP wieghts of the breeds your using for your capons, keeping in mind the full term wieght is for a 12 month old cock. You will only exceed 10 pounds with the larger breeds, and only with exhibition or show stock. I have done numerous breeds, mostly large varieties and have never had a bird exceed 10 pounds live. (Birds are usually processed here by the 28th week) Our service cock is a bit over 11 pounds, but he is two years old.

 

[Kassaundra]

They are really cute.....the ones with more white kinda look like they have some Delaware in them. Have you been breeding NN's long?

I've had NN for about a year or so, even before the big massacre I was planning on my flock becoming all NN. They are so much better for my climate (evil hot long summers) and no hair to singe on processing day.

 

[BCMaraniac]

I am going to let him grow out to 9-10 months to see how he does size wise. I figure no harm, no FOWL.....lol. Just a little extra feed.

 

[Maggiesdad]

What are you expecting weight-wise from your Australorp?

I don't think he's as big as your fellow. I'll see if I can get him on the scale.

Some of the old lit says you lose the quality of flesh over 8 months, that the older birds become coarse... naillikwj82, what has been your experience with birds over 8mo as far as meat quality?

It would seem Black Giants would have to go long to reach full potential...

 

[BCMaraniac]

I don't think he's as big as your fellow. I'll see if I can get him on the scale.

Some of the old lit says you lose the quality of flesh over 8 months, that the older birds become coarse... naillikwj82, what has been your experience with birds over 8mo as far as meat quality?

It would seem Black Giants would have to go long to reach full potential...

I have a couple of hatchery White Giant capons two weeks older, and my guy is bigger than they are, so I was figuring because of his large frame, it would take him longer to reach his potential. I am really curious to see what that potential is, because if that cross produces a really big capon, I think the bigger ones would be nice to have for a special occasion dinner when you are feeding a crowd, and I will repeat it. It's a learning curve here for me on all fronts.

 

[Regin]

I have a couple of hatchery White Giant capons two weeks older, and my guy is bigger than they are, so I was figuring because of his large frame, it would take him longer to reach his potential. I am really curious to see what that potential is, because if that cross produces a really big capon, I think the bigger ones would be nice to have for a special occasion dinner when you are feeding a crowd, and I will repeat it. It's a learning curve here for me on all fronts.

I will be interested in your results also.

 

[Kassaundra]

I have a couple of hatchery White Giant capons two weeks older, and my guy is bigger than they are, so I was figuring because of his large frame, it would take him longer to reach his potential. I am really curious to see what that potential is, because if that cross produces a really big capon, I think the bigger ones would be nice to have for a special occasion dinner when you are feeding a crowd, and I will repeat it. It's a learning curve here for me on all fronts.

I think that is the case w/ most all of us.