GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[TaraBellaBirds]

Does caponizing alter the frequency of crowing? Would you reccomend the procedure for someone who would like to keep a favorite chick (who of course wound up to be a cockerel) in a no rooster neighborhood?

Caponizing will stop the desire to crow, mate and fight, as stated by QueenMisha. Capons will develop the same colors and feathers as a roo without the large red comb. It is a perfect option for pet cockerels in the city, but I must caution, it is VERY difficult to succeed with an older roo <16 weeks or so (I would suggest starting with 6 to 9 weeks). The testes get fragile and the stress is much greater on the bird.

 

[Kassaundra]

Everything that has already been said, plus, as to the question about polish roos, what do you mean "is it worth it?" If you mean will they get meaty, well that is relative, they are not a meaty bird caponizing won't magically change them to a "meat bird" you can allow them to get older and more filled out, and they will given that extra time be more tender, tastey, and meaty then if they had not been caponized. The other option for polish capons I think would be a yard art / pet market, I can see small town / city flock keepers liking the "pretty" and quiet boy to keep w/ their hens.

 

[hellbender]

Everything that has already been said, plus, as to the question about polish roos, what do you mean "is it worth it?" If you mean will they get meaty, well that is relative, they are not a meaty bird caponizing won't magically change them to a "meat bird" you can allow them to get older and more filled out, and they will given that extra time be more tender, tastey, and meaty then if they had not been caponized. The other option for polish capons I think would be a yard art / pet market, I can see small town / city flock keepers liking the "pretty" and quiet boy to keep w/ their hens.

Polish capon as yard art?? I think I'd just get the thing BRONZED.

EDIT: To say...I'm just kidding!!!

 

[collie1470]

Well....there are people who just keep them as pets or for looks. XD

 

[bauerdog]

Thanks everyone. I think that it sounds like I should give it a go. Based on your feedback, I am pretty sure at least one of the polish will be snapped up as yard art. At the worst I will have some meatier birds later in the year. My neighbor has made it clear that he won't tolerate a rooster. But if capons are quiet he won't know the difference. He gave me a hard time 2 years ago about the chickens. Unfounded, mind you. He blamed the birds for everything he could. The township ruled in my favor, but I won't push things. In the past the cockerels were butchered when they started crowing. This way I can get some more meat on them first.

 

[bauerdog]

Polish capon as yard art??  I think I'd just get the thing BRONZED.   

EDIT:  To say...I'm just kidding!!!

I got what you meant.

 

[QueenMisha]

Finally got some pictures of my first 3 capons! All are doing well except one, the gold one - his incision never really healed. I keep cleaning the area and treating him for mites, but they continue to come back and they like to live inside the edges of the scab. It worries me dusting the area but it seems even worse to let them just breed inside the area. But he acts normal and is gaining weight well, and there doesn't seem to be much I can do about it anyways.









Not the best pictures - they act docile and interact well with the hens, but they are terrified of me. Can't blame em, I guess.

Oh, what's a good butchering age for capons? I'm keeping the black capon (I wanted to keep his daddy but he was an awful-tempered bird, so Dean Winchester Jr. will have to do) but the gold and white/black are gonna have to go someday. Not sure what the mixes are exactly - the gold one is probably EExJubilee Orp, and other one may have SL Wyandotte or possibly breeder stock Rock influences. They're about 5 months now (I think) and both weigh maybe 4.5 pounds. D.W.J. is maybe 6, he's getting big.

 

[hellbender]

Finally got some pictures of my first 3 capons! All are doing well except one, the gold one - his incision never really healed. I keep cleaning the area and treating him for mites, but they continue to come back and they like to live inside the edges of the scab. It worries me dusting the area but it seems even worse to let them just breed inside the area. But he acts normal and is gaining weight well, and there doesn't seem to be much I can do about it anyways.









Not the best pictures - they act docile and interact well with the hens, but they are terrified of me. Can't blame em, I guess.

Oh, what's a good butchering age for capons? I'm keeping the black capon (I wanted to keep his daddy but he was an awful-tempered bird, so Dean Winchester Jr. will have to do) but the gold and white/black are gonna have to go someday. Not sure what the mixes are exactly - the gold one is probably EExJubilee Orp, and other one may have SL Wyandotte or possibly breeder stock Rock influences. They're about 5 months now (I think) and both weigh maybe 4.5 pounds. D.W.J. is maybe 6, he's getting big.

I'd give 'em time to get full benefit of the operation...perhaps even fall.They'd be ready sooner but they will have lots more meat then.

 

[bauerdog]

Ok. I got my first capon done and he is doing well. Now I have a question....my friend wants her full grown rooster caponized because he is an overzealous breeder. Anybody ever try this and have good results? I have a friend who is a vet and can do this under anesthesia.....

 

[Kusanar]

*Snip*
I'm keeping the black capon (I wanted to keep his daddy but he was an awful-tempered bird, so Dean Winchester Jr. will have to do) but the gold and white/black are gonna have to go someday.
*Snip*

Just out of curiosity, why would you caponize the black one if you wanted to keep him because you wanted to keep his sire but didn't because of temperament? If it is bloodlines then you just kind of messed that up, and I can't see why you would keep the son of a nasty roo for sentimental reasons... Just curious, that seemed strange...