GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[Poco Pollo]

Would you suggest to practice on a roo that dies of natural causes (like illness or predetor attach)?

I would practice on birds you are planning to eat.

 

[LindaB220]

I know what a capon is hence the reference to castrated roosters. The female ovaries dont work causing other hormones to take over and they develop male characteristics. Same thing with the roosters. The testes dont produce hormones because theyre gone causing them to behave like females I.e. not crowing

Quite correct. Do you plan on learning to caponize? Such a benefit for the small holder. No more buying meat birds etc. I'm starting with New Hamps, Lt Sussex, White Dorkings and White Rocks. I'm planning on raising some Red sex links and well as keeping the breeds going. Lots of excess roos.

Poco: I totally forgot about clicking on the pictures to enlarge. What a blessing. So much more visual. I went back to the earlier set and looked again.

 

[bbsnooks]

Hello all..
I've got 10 birds isolated and on water for today..
I think the toughest part so far was creating isolation pens.. As mine are free range.. i had to create some pens.. and I have 2 Houdini's that are great at letting me know where the holes are. I can say its much more sane for the hens with them isolated.. I had ordered a mix from McMurray's end of Oct.. along with 10 roosters to make selection for breeding .. so.. this clinic came just in time. My Birds are alot older than the one's we did at workshop.. and i expect that will effect the outcome. But its all a learning experience. All of these birds would have been culled and they will make good practice.. and be my first taste of non-commercial chicken if they expire.

On another note.. ( this being my first full year with a flock), I've learned that while picking up the "squealers" to confine them, that there were 15 other pr of rooster eyes right on me..

Up-date on capons from wk/shp - 5 Alive! .. 4 with air sacks.. They sound crackly when lifting them up.. and i finally figured out that it was the air. Another lesson learned is that there is a membrane under the skin that must be punctured to let the air escape. that was a little challenging for me. I used a very sharp pr of hair scissors to the skin and then had to puncture the membrane below, which was very slippery for lack of a better word. I also found that after making the puncture.. that more of the air came out if i "hugged" them with both hands to compress the skin down to the body. <hope that made sense. Cora if you have a better way... i'm all ears. I'm open to suggestions/ or critique. I'm encouraged that all are still living.. the one.. seems to still have balance issues.. but is getting more active all the time. I encouraged him with mealworms yesterday and that got him up and moving.

I think I'll try and mark the zip ties.. with a number - so that if i have any difficulty during the procedure - that I can keep track of that bird. I am recalling during wk/shp - one that moved as the removal was taking place and instead of twisting - there was a sudden pull. I was a bit concerned that other vessles could have been injured at the time.. I think the one that is lagging behind was not that bird..
--- so I think I'll keep a 3x5 card with notes / and number the leg bands correspondingly - for follow up evaluation.

I'll have 4 large white birds < for Sat - I dont know there breed > 3 Marans 1 Jersey 1 Salmon Faverolles 1 bantam barnyard mix - Ready 4 Sat and Sunday. If Houdini 1 & 2 stay in.

I must say.. I'm a little nervous.. but must persevere for the sanity / health of the hens. I've had to confine a Salmon Faverolles Hen due to damage to her back. I'm really glad to have had the experience with Cora and Kassaundra pryor to trying this alone.

I'm Hoping that as the capons mature.. that some may be willing to take on the "Brooder" role. I've read this < some where on the web>. Time will tell but I would be so happy to have a capon chicken take on the roll of "Moma" for chicks i hatch in the incubator. I have 2 special places for them to raise them in the coop and i've got my fingers crossed. I'd be interested to know if any one here has had that experience.. thanks.

- Now .. to set up the stations for tomorrow. I have 2 different tables to experiment with .. One is my Laundry hamper. it has a mildly curved top and a holes on the sides to attach bungee's to for restraints. I think it would be perferct for the 1 month old birds.. it may be a streach for my 5 mo. roosters. I hope to have 2 in restraints / one to work on.. and another resting.. to reach a calm state before the procedure.

l may not post till Monday - seems i spend more time with them.. than at the computer.. but will post as time allows.
Wish me and the Roosters luck..

 

[Kassaundra]

Hello all..
I've got 10 birds isolated and on water for today..
I think the toughest part so far was creating isolation pens.. As mine are free range.. i had to create some pens.. and I have 2 Houdini's that are great at letting me know where the holes are. I can say its much more sane for the hens with them isolated.. I had ordered a mix from McMurray's end of Oct.. along with 10 roosters to make selection for breeding .. so.. this clinic came just in time. My Birds are alot older than the one's we did at workshop.. and i expect that will effect the outcome. But its all a learning experience. All of these birds would have been culled and they will make good practice.. and be my first taste of non-commercial chicken if they expire.

On another note.. ( this being my first full year with a flock), I've learned that while picking up the "squealers" to confine them, that there were 15 other pr of rooster eyes right on me..

Up-date on capons from wk/shp - 5 Alive! .. 4 with air sacks.. They sound crackly when lifting them up.. and i finally figured out that it was the air. Another lesson learned is that there is a membrane under the skin that must be punctured to let the air escape. that was a little challenging for me. I used a very sharp pr of hair scissors to the skin and then had to puncture the membrane below, which was very slippery for lack of a better word. I also found that after making the puncture.. that more of the air came out if i "hugged" them with both hands to compress the skin down to the body. <hope that made sense. Cora if you have a better way... i'm all ears. I'm open to suggestions/ or critique. I'm encouraged that all are still living.. the one.. seems to still have balance issues.. but is getting more active all the time. I encouraged him with mealworms yesterday and that got him up and moving.

I think I'll try and mark the zip ties.. with a number - so that if i have any difficulty during the procedure - that I can keep track of that bird. I am recalling during wk/shp - one that moved as the removal was taking place and instead of twisting - there was a sudden pull. I was a bit concerned that other vessles could have been injured at the time.. I think the one that is lagging behind was not that bird..
--- so I think I'll keep a 3x5 card with notes / and number the leg bands correspondingly - for follow up evaluation.

I'll have 4 large white birds < for Sat - I dont know there breed > 3 Marans 1 Jersey 1 Salmon Faverolles 1 bantam barnyard mix - Ready 4 Sat and Sunday. If Houdini 1 & 2 stay in.

I must say.. I'm a little nervous.. but must persevere for the sanity / health of the hens. I've had to confine a Salmon Faverolles Hen due to damage to her back. I'm really glad to have had the experience with Cora and Kassaundra pryor to trying this alone.

I'm Hoping that as the capons mature.. that some may be willing to take on the "Brooder" role. I've read this < some where on the web>. Time will tell but I would be so happy to have a capon chicken take on the roll of "Moma" for chicks i hatch in the incubator. I have 2 special places for them to raise them in the coop and i've got my fingers crossed. I'd be interested to know if any one here has had that experience.. thanks.

- Now .. to set up the stations for tomorrow. I have 2 different tables to experiment with .. One is my Laundry hamper. it has a mildly curved top and a holes on the sides to attach bungee's to for restraints. I think it would be perferct for the 1 month old birds.. it may be a streach for my 5 mo. roosters. I hope to have 2 in restraints / one to work on.. and another resting.. to reach a calm state before the procedure.

l may not post till Monday - seems i spend more time with them.. than at the computer.. but will post as time allows.
Wish me and the Roosters luck..

You can do it, you have 5 birds that prove that. Relax, breathe, one step at a time, one bird at a time.

 

[bbsnooks]

Quote:
I just want to ad a dissenting view..
that is for some one trying out a knife or scalpel for the first time.. in order to get the Feel.. for making the right depth and length to the incision ... there may be some value in trying on a dead bird to raise your confidence in using a new tool.

< I equate this kinda with giving the teenager driver the wheel of the car for the first time. I would probably choose the <safe enough> more expendable car .. not the most expensive... car for learning that first year of solo driving on their own. stuff happens when your inexperienced.
.. In this case .. the store bought roaster.. will be ok to make some mistakes on.. and to learn to make the cut with authority ... not hesitation>

Especially if your learning on your own, but keep in mind it will be different on the live bird.
I think if it makes you feel more comfortable to cut something.. you could use a one of you dead birds .. or a store bought roaster chicken to get the feel of making the cut. If so.. then I would suggest making several cuts between the ribs.. so you have many places to practice.. prior to the incision on live birds. but then DO it on your prepared bird.
Be sure to pull the skin taught then make the cut other wise the skin moves and no cut is made. ( I have 2 dead in the freezer that i kept for this reason but have not used as i was fortunate to have the workshop coaching with Poco... Kassaundra -- but if I'd had to learn on my own.. i would have used the dead one's first).
Its easier with a mentor. or 2.!!

I think a trial of the spreader tool on store bought roaster - will not work as well as a "trial run". Dead tissue after rigor sets in does not stretch the same or as well as live. but try if its helping to get your fingers used to the tools and how they work.
just expect it to be a different and maybe easier on live birds.

I'm usually a jump in the deep end of the pool kind of person.. but with out a mentor.. i would have stuck in my toes first to test the water.

good luck..

 

[LindaB220]

Hello all..
I've got 10 birds isolated and on water for today..
I think the toughest part so far was creating isolation pens.. As mine are free range.. i had to create some pens.. and I have 2 Houdini's that are great at letting me know where the holes are. I can say its much more sane for the hens with them isolated.. I had ordered a mix from McMurray's end of Oct.. along with 10 roosters to make selection for breeding .. so.. this clinic came just in time. My Birds are alot older than the one's we did at workshop.. and i expect that will effect the outcome. But its all a learning experience. All of these birds would have been culled and they will make good practice.. and be my first taste of non-commercial chicken if they expire.

On another note.. ( this being my first full year with a flock), I've learned that while picking up the "squealers" to confine them, that there were 15 other pr of rooster eyes right on me..

Up-date on capons from wk/shp - 5 Alive! .. 4 with air sacks.. They sound crackly when lifting them up.. and i finally figured out that it was the air. Another lesson learned is that there is a membrane under the skin that must be punctured to let the air escape. that was a little challenging for me. I used a very sharp pr of hair scissors to the skin and then had to puncture the membrane below, which was very slippery for lack of a better word. I also found that after making the puncture.. that more of the air came out if i "hugged" them with both hands to compress the skin down to the body. <hope that made sense. Cora if you have a better way... i'm all ears. I'm open to suggestions/ or critique. I'm encouraged that all are still living.. the one.. seems to still have balance issues.. but is getting more active all the time. I encouraged him with mealworms yesterday and that got him up and moving.

I think I'll try and mark the zip ties.. with a number - so that if i have any difficulty during the procedure - that I can keep track of that bird. I am recalling during wk/shp - one that moved as the removal was taking place and instead of twisting - there was a sudden pull. I was a bit concerned that other vessles could have been injured at the time.. I think the one that is lagging behind was not that bird..
--- so I think I'll keep a 3x5 card with notes / and number the leg bands correspondingly - for follow up evaluation.

I'll have 4 large white birds < for Sat - I dont know there breed > 3 Marans 1 Jersey 1 Salmon Faverolles 1 bantam barnyard mix - Ready 4 Sat and Sunday. If Houdini 1 & 2 stay in.

I must say.. I'm a little nervous.. but must persevere for the sanity / health of the hens. I've had to confine a Salmon Faverolles Hen due to damage to her back. I'm really glad to have had the experience with Cora and Kassaundra pryor to trying this alone.

I'm Hoping that as the capons mature.. that some may be willing to take on the "Brooder" role. I've read this < some where on the web>. Time will tell but I would be so happy to have a capon chicken take on the roll of "Moma" for chicks i hatch in the incubator. I have 2 special places for them to raise them in the coop and i've got my fingers crossed. I'd be interested to know if any one here has had that experience.. thanks.

- Now .. to set up the stations for tomorrow. I have 2 different tables to experiment with .. One is my Laundry hamper. it has a mildly curved top and a holes on the sides to attach bungee's to for restraints. I think it would be perferct for the 1 month old birds.. it may be a streach for my 5 mo. roosters. I hope to have 2 in restraints / one to work on.. and another resting.. to reach a calm state before the procedure.

l may not post till Monday - seems i spend more time with them.. than at the computer.. but will post as time allows.
Wish me and the Roosters luck..

It sounds to me like you are doing terrific. And the good thing is, it gets simpler each time you do it.
On using capons for brooders, I read an old book that said the way to train them is to get them separated in a box or something for a day or two. Then pluck feathers off on the chest area under the wing. Strike it with a stick a few times so it stings. Then immediately put in with the babies. They will cuddle up and comfort his burning skin. This is done at night and the next day he is totally in love with his babies. I don't know if it works but that's what they used to do. Another funny example is to blow smoke in his face four or five times and it disorientates him. Then put him in with the babies. This book was over 100 years old. Let us know what you do and how it turns out.

 

[Ksane]

Bbsnooks, good luck! I can't wait to hear how it goes!
I got that Leghorn capon from Coral and if he's any indication you won't have to pluck capon feathers or hit him with a stick lol
This one I have is a gentle mothering soul. When I 1st put him in the yard with pullets and hens he chest bumped a few times with the older bossy hens but it was over in 30 seconds. Since then all he wants to do is cuddle with them and the pullets. Last night when I locked them up he was in the corner cuddling with the big Brown Red Cochin rooster
I know he'd take to babies in a heartbeat.

 

[bbsnooks]

<snip off>
Wish me and the Roosters luck..

You can do it, you have 5 birds that prove that. Relax, breathe, one step at a time, one bird at a time.
Thanks Kass... and all others for the thru the ether's moral support.
Oh and btw.. Houdini one and two helped the others out of the pen... < new temp bird netting area in fenced garden.. part of the learning curve.>

7 are all - that are prepped. with fasting.
that's probably enough.

lessons learned... put water in middle of confinement pen ... as there is lots of pacing the fence.
2) make a fence that will hold goats and pidgons.
3) do that before you plan the proceedure date and test out..
4) do not look at their begging hungry eyes
Dont look Ethyl ! but it was too late ; )
more later

 

[MamaKitty913]

Some of the supplies. My instructor had a cool low tech "table" a piece of packing styrofoam and large bubble wrap. She said the slight stretching of the bird is ness. to cut the correct location. She put wide bands at the wing and feet and secured them w/ bungee.


The feathers in the area were very easy to pluck and the bird didn't seem to care. She is pulling the skin back so that her inscision of skin and muscle will not line up. She is going between the last two ribs. This pic doesn't show it well but there is a marked depression you cannot miss between the top of the thigh and the bottom rib.


This is the beginning of the skin inscision. She cuts the skin only on the first pass.


This is the completed skin cut


She adjusted the skin opening over the area of the muscle she was cutting. With the exposed muscle it was easier to see the correct place to cut.


retracting the opening to see and breaking the membrane for a view into the cavity. You can see intestine it this shot.


here you can see the tool she used to tear away the membrane (the piece of flesh diagonally from the end of the tool)


The object to the left with the slightly more yellow color is the teste, the uppermost one, the others are intestine


This is the modified straw and wire gripper, she gently twisted the straw to detatch it from the bird, but it just wouldn't easily detatch, so she had a plan B


here she is still trying to twist it.


she had a cauderizing tool, it worked well to seperate the teste from the bird. She bought it online she said it was around $50


here you can see the connective tissue being cauderized


and here it is out


Here is the second teste, she goes in through the same opening. You can see the second membrane that has to be removed before the teste can be clearly seen. She removes it w/ the same modified straw, she said the second one cannot be cauderized, at least through the same opening.


couple of stitches w/ sewing thread, but she uses a suture needle, she said regular sewing needles just were not sharp enough, there was way to much tugging of the skin


all stitched up


She uses alchohol on a cotton ball to swab the area and check for blood vessels before cutting anything at all, and plans her cuts where there are no blood vessels to lessen blood loss. It is like magic these were not very visible if at all before she swabbed with the alchohol.


I took several pics to try and show placement, but very few showed the detail and landmarks that were clearly visible in real life. this was the closest she stated how important the slight stretching of the bird is to locate landmarks easily there is a definate valley between the last rib and the thigh, the muscle cut needs to be between the last two ribs.



Sorry for the amount of pics, I took many more and tried to narrow it down to just the essentials to tell a complete story.

I want to make clear this isn't my information, I was the student. The woman showing me how to do this has an amazing success rate, she has only lost one bird total and that was to a respiratory infection, she has even caponized older birds then is recomended (special circumstances made this ness she doesn't do it regularly)and had no fatalities.

This was extremly well done! Very educational, thank you for all the pictures. Don't know that I'll ever do this lol and it's awesome to know that wiping a chicken with an alcohol swab brings up the veins, I bet I could have got an IV line in that bird, lol! Sorry nurse joke, from the nurse everyone called to "get this stick."

 

[bbsnooks]

Question.. on air puffing ? how crucial is it that one deflate ... and how often.,.., or how many day's can you wait to do it..?
reasoning is i'm going out of town for 3 day's next week will that be a problem? after caponizing today.