I Caponized! ***Graphic Pics*** Not For Faint of Heart.

[PikeCo]

What do you do to fight infection? That would be my biggest fear.

 

[CrazyCatNChickenLady]

I'm wondering about the no water for 24 hours before. Its been getting to about 90-95* here during the day and its pretty dry here so I'm not sure how long they should be without water!

I have a group of 19 EE/ Olive Eggers I hatched that are 3 weeks old. I have 6 pulled out that I plan on doing this weekend. Then I might do the remaining roos every 2 weeks when I can tell that they're boys!

 

[colebarnhart]

Quote:
I know you meant caponize, to canonize is to declare a deceased person to be a saint. I've owned some nice roos, and eaten others, but none have ever been that good...

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

As for your question -- what I've found is that older cockerels are easier to operate upon, their parts are larger and easier to find, but it doesn't seem to make a really big difference in their growth, behavior, or appearance. The younger the cockerel the more effect the operation will have upon them, but the procedure can be more difficult because their organs are so much smaller.

Right now I'm not caponizing any more of my table cockerels until I can get some better tools, lighing, & magnification, or some younger, sharper-eyed helpers. My over-40 eyes have such difficulty seeing up close, but my boys reply YIKES! and cross their legs when I ask them to help.

Go ahead and caponize your 9-week-old cockerels, at least it will be good practice for you. If they conduct themselves well while you operate you might also have them canonized.

 

[LittleDarlings]

Ok, so when I read the OP and saw the GREAT pictures I initially thought that there is NO way I could do this. However, after reading through all 14 pages, and being a DIY person, I think I can! Now, I don't have any chicks yet, but I love to learn and this is something I truly had never heard of. Thank you to all the wonderful questions and answers that have continued on. :0)

 

[Bresseman]

Been thinking of doing this with my Bresse. Too late right now for my 5 sixteen week old black bresse cockerels. I'd hate to practice on them and fail! Any folk in NC interested in trading for a few Black Bresse Cockerels PM me!

 

[kizanne]

Great post. You've inspired me to try. Setting hatching eggs today so.... 7 weeks I'll be back with questions.

 

[Candyhl]

I would think if/when I choose to butcher my own, that would be a good time to look at the insides to learn about the ovary and testical placement. Don't get me wrong, I understand the concept behind the whole thing, but rather than experimenting on youngens, just practice on the ones that will certainly be eaten. And I think my biggest concern would be contamination or infection after the procedure especially if they are being put back out in their element. Not to stir up any controversy, but my whole reason for raising chickens to begin with is to have the eggs and meat that hasn't been polluted with chemicals and hormones. This just seems like an "oxymoron" to me. Both Caponizing and feeding until they risk breaking legs. It seems to me that regardless of how humane the chickens life may have been, aren't these kind of practices releasing adrenal hormones into the meat due to the stress? I mean if I want to eat something that has died of a coronary, I'll just get it commercially! :/

 

[PrettyLacedFeathers]

Does anyone know of someone who is experienced with caponizing chickens near orlando, FL?

 

[shabbychick23]

I took this to work caponized my roosters nearly passed out doing it...he is doing fabulous.

 

[yoyobantam]

Hi, so I have a question that no one, not even a vet, has been able to answer for me. How is it that the chicken doesn't die from shock/pain? Do they have less nerve endings to process pain than mammals?