Is caponization common?

[JNorth]

My husband took a chance on a chick this year. I'm fairly certain it's a cockeral. Given its personality and the presence of tiny little spur buds on its thick little legs. Plus it's just how our luck runs. However, I know some hens grow spurs, so we're not 100% at this point. I am firmly against roosters. I have children and raising chickens is a family affair...notice my avi. . However, this chick is feathering out beautifully... I want to see him grow! I'm in a very small agricultural town. We are surrounded by farmland (no chicken farms). So if I call a farm vet and ask about caponizing, will I sound like an idiot? How much does it usually cost? And at what age is it best done? The chick will be three week old this weekend.

 

[Triple Willow]

Do a "caponizing" search. There are folks on here that do it.

 

[Triple Willow]

...but you will have a hard time finding a vet that knows how to do it. Good chance you'll have a hard time finding a vet that knows much at all about chickens period!

 

[Triple Willow]

But really a good rooster is a great addition to your flock.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Why are you firmly against roosters? A well bred, nicely socialized, cared for rooster can be perfectly safe around children. In fact roosters are often more friendly than hens. At any rate, I would handle him, train him, treat him, love him up, and give him a chance to be part of the family.

 

[JNorth]

I hear you, I really do. But, we have some family members with some very gruesome stories of rooster attacks with the scars to go with it. My cousin nearly lost her eye at age 8 because of a rooster. I'm just not sure I want to take that risk. I feel like I would never be totally confident that my kids would be safe around a rooster.

 

[donrae]

I support not having a rooster while you have littles--just too iffy to me. Roosters aren't pets and most kids can't understand the difference.

You can sure call around and ask about caponizing, but my understanding is not many vets do it. If you're brave and steady handed you can look for videos showing you how to do it, but the mortality rate on your learning curve is pretty steep. You might just be better off rehoming the rooster once you're sure he's a he.

 

[chickkrzi]

Well I had a BR rooster, would be the first to run up to you looking for a treat. He would sit at my wife's and my feet when we set on the back porch. One day my granddaughter (3yrs old) and I went out to feed the goats. Just as soon as she got inside the gate that rooster jumped her. Thank God all she got was the scare of he life. And needless to say that rooster didn't see the next sun set. And I agree with donre on this one. Roosters and small children shouldn't be left unsupervised. I have ALL my roosters kept in a pin with the gates locked to keep any accidents from happening.