San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Do any of you guys in San Diego or environs caponize your cockerels?  I would love to learn how. 
Bonnie

It's invasive surgery. The success rate isn't that great, even amongst vets, from what I hear.

 

[perchie.girl]

Here is a pamphlet on the Sears "Easy-On" Caponizing Set. copyrite 1922

http://www.afn.org/~poultry/capon.htm

It says to practice on a dead one first. Makes sense.

deb

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Here is a pamphlet on the Sears "Easy-On" Caponizing Set.  copyrite 1922

http://www.afn.org/~poultry/capon.htm

It says to practice on a dead one first.  Makes sense. 

deb

Would you spay or neuter any other pet just because you could? Just because they did it doesn't make it right. I'm sorry, I have to speak out on this one. Don't hate me.. . . .

 

[RyeRanch]

Do any of you guys in San Diego or environs caponize your cockerels?  I would love to learn how. 
Bonnie

There is a guy in Dulzura who knows how to canonize chickens. His name is John and I see him on Craigslist every once in a while selling chickens. He is retired from the aviary quarantine program with the USDA. PM me for contact info.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
LOL.... No probs just sharin info I found. But it helps to consider that some people think of chickens as food not pets. I couldn't do it. But sometimes sharing the info is an excellent deterrent.

deb

 

[4beatgaits]

Caponizing is done to make the rooster grow bigger heavier. But with the development of Meaties I suspect that it isnt done as much any more. Its also supposed to make them less aggressive.

deb

Well I read that with caponizing you can keep them for up to a year while they are increasing in size and the meat will still be very tender. They don't suffer the structural stresses of a bird that grows too fast too early. They are also supposed to make very good substitute moms.

Personally, I am very attached to one roo that I hatched out. Sweet and affectionate but I don't want him to grow up and beat the heck out of the hens. I'd like to keep him as a pet without the personality change.

Bonnie

 

[4beatgaits]

Would you spay or neuter any other pet just because you could? Just because they did it doesn't make it right. I'm sorry, I have to speak out on this one. Don't hate me.. . . .

Now why would I hate you? lol. Well I do have my dogs spayed and neutered. That's too complicated for me and way too painful without anesthesia. But I do a lot of vetting on my own horses etc. The thought of doing it bothers me a lot less than the thought of giving a roo I'm attached to away or having his personality change. Honestly if it was very painful to the chicken, I wouldn't do it. I need to find out more.
Bonnie

 

[aaajjss1]

Good info, i personally would be able to do it, first of all because of starving them first lol i can't stand my birds to be hungry, and i couldn't cut into a conscious animal.

 

[RHRanch]

Now why would I hate you? lol. Well I do have my dogs spayed and neutered. That's too complicated for me and way too painful without anesthesia. But I do a lot of vetting on my own horses etc. The thought of doing it bothers me a lot less than the thought of giving a roo I'm attached to away or having his personality change. Honestly if it was very painful to the chicken, I wouldn't do it. I need to find out more.
Bonnie

Well since it's gonads are internal (inside the body cavity), I would bet that the procedure is as painful to it as it would be to you if I were to tape you to a piece of plywood, make an incision and cut out some organs all while you are awake. They are just as sensative to pain as any other animal, bird, dog or cat.

Also, it's actually easier to castrate something with external testicles, like a dog - I could do it, but I wouldn't. lol

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
No all roos beat up the hens. I have four roos in with ten hens and everyone is happy and healthy. I have Three other roos in with four hens. Matter of fact I have always had multiple roos with my flock. The deal is The roos spar with each other and it keeps them occupied. One roo will be the Alpha and he will spend his time tending to his favorite hens and run the other roos off. But he will let the other roos have their go at the rest of the hens. The added benefit is the hens are protected by rooster watch dogs in the process.

deb