The Great Capon Experiment

[Tiffrz-N-Kidz]

A T -

Yes, I have read and reread that thread numerous times. It is wonderfully detailed and is actually the inspiration behind the experiment. That and the video by Chinese Capons - have you seen those guys?

 

[bigpinkmotherhen]

Please please let us know how this goes. I've been so discouraged by the "cruelty" claims, I hadn't even thought about ether. How difficult is it to get and use, anyway.

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
I know which vid you mean... it's CRAZY how well they know their skill and judging by how quick those fellas dash off they aren't too awfully upset by the whole matter.

Which brings to mind the Dirty Jobs episode with the sheep... that was gross, NO way could I do that with my TEETH... but agree with them that it's WAY less painful for the animal than the binding way... I try to think "if it was me..." if I HAD to have something removed would I rather it be lopped off quickly and immediately begin healing... OR bind it for days/weeks of pain that eventually will lead to it coming off and then more pain as healing finally begins... I'd go for the quick and less painful. In the case of capons/roos... roo without capon = no surgery but a much shorter life. With capon, small bit of pain early in life, appear to get over it quickly, and then a MUCH longer life... at least double, if not triple the time to hunt and peck and just be a chicken. If those were my only two options, I'd choose capon.

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
The chinese and there is another one from the philipines (I think) a husband and wife who go in just above the vent, they are pretty impressive too.

I have been reading and viewing everything I can find on caponizing also. I have not performed it yet, though. I am formulating a plan that will work for me and my family involving a small flock of DP that utilizes caponizing.

Some people find it offensive or cruel to caponize, but will process a bird, while others find it offensive or cruel to process a bird, but will go to the store to purchase one. It seems everytime caponizing is brought up people get upset, but no one bats an eye when any other livestock is castrated. I've seen video's of both birds and mammals, and the mammals are quite a bit more disturbing. The birds just quietly lay there but the calves, horses, pigs etc...... scream like they are being murdered.

I also don't understand why if someone finds the idea of caponizing so horrible, they would read a thead about it.

 

[cheri222]

I helped with my friends baby pigs 2 years ago (30+ baby pigs). They had too many to handle. It really wasn't traumatic and the pigs were up and running in about 1 hour. No losses or infections post procedure. I really was more concerned about the momma pigs getting out and killing me. It sounds like chickens are more complicated, I don't know. Good luck.

 

[Pavla]

The anesthesia debate has been a hot one forever. Take a moment to really think how much we over medicate.

My daughter has refused Novocaine and its ilk since she was 8. A very honest dentist answered her "will it hurt?" question by pointing out that different people interpret pain differently , sometimes the numbing is more painful and a longer process than the procedure, and sometimes numbing doesnt work on some people the same way. But in the end if she tried to do it with out, if it hurt they would stop immediately. She never elected to have it for fillings/orthodontia after that. She did choose it for a surgery to remove un-erupted wisdom teeth.

I have also had instances where vets have said the anesthesia could kill faster than the procedure. And proceeded accordingly. Cleaning teeth is a perfect example. I also have worked in a hospital where people had un-stabilized broken bones for days with no numbing/anesthesia, until surgery could be scheduled. Birth hurts both parties.

Difficult subject, difficult decisions. And very personal.

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
Your points are right on. Anesthetizing birds is very dangerous, more so then the procedure. I work in the medical field and there is a saying ............. no one ever died of pain. Not to seem callous and no one inflicts unness. pain, but there are times when relieving the pain is more dangerous then enduring it.

 

[Barred Rocks forever]

hope to hear more about this expirement

 

[Kassaundra]

omniskies, Have you put pen to paper to figure out the price per oz of very young bird as you were referring to and raising it to "proper" size? Just curious since you mentioned it didn't have a good meat to feed ratio? Your ideas are interesting though. I don't get the reluctance for balut (which by the way can be chicken too) but willingness for day old. At balut age there would be no fuzz to deal with, that is why they are eaten at the specific incubation age. (I too would be unwilling to try balut

)

On your other observations

totally agree!!!!!!! Seen it more times then I can count!

 

[Tiffrz-N-Kidz]

Thank you all for the really good and thought provoking responses. I do believe I will be (initially) going without ether because I think I'd be more likely to kill or brain damage the birds with the ether than with the scalpel. I did not see the video of the ones that approach above the vent, that sounds like something to explore.

Omniskes, I feel your pain on the whole 'trying to help people who refuse to help themselves' frustration. BTDT in the early phase of my life when I used to volunteer at homeless shelters. I know that a lot of the people in he food bank line would rather watch American Idol and down a six pack of Budweiser than pop out into the yard and feed/water their chickens. They are not the ones I hope to help with this project. The ones I think will benefit are the ones who are not afraid of a little dirt or chicken poo and are willing to plant a garden and slop a chicken in order to provide food for their families. The ones who have thought, "I'd love to raise organic drug free chicken meat big enough to roast, but I don't want cornish x and I don't want to eat one of my egg laying hens and we can't have roosters." Or the children of the beer swilling television opiated masses. Laziness is a learned behavior. Maybe, just maybe, we can show these kids that there is a better way to live. Self sufficiency is one way out from under "da man". Not all of them will get into it, but 1 or 2 might. And that's good enough for me. (End of sermon.)

Or I may just be posting to entertain you folks. Either way, I am looking forward to this adventure and it's going to be interesting.