Anyone here do Capons?

[Patt]

If so how, at what age and how much of a difference does it make? I read about it once but it sounds rather dangerous for the chick.

[Navotifarm]

I've thought about it, but I sure wouldn't want to do it without having seen someone demonstrate the procedure. Every time I look at the Murray McMurry catalog and see their caponizing kit, I am reminded again, but never enough to actually do something. In all my books, magazines and references, the only article I've seen on the subject was by Harvey Ussery. Guess it's one of the lost arts. I know there was a big scandal about a form of chemical caponizing by implanting estrogen pellets in rooster necks which were not absorbed before slaughter but I haven't even heard about that for years. Very good question, Patt. Hope somebody on here has a good answer for you!

[wwubben]

My first 4-h project was raising capons in 1953.We bought them from the hatchery started and caponized.They must of been about three weeks old.That was before the modern crossbreeds came out.I see no advantage over the modern broilers now days.

[palani]

My understanding is that virtually all caponizing is done chemically these days rather than mechanically.

[pancho]

My father took a class on how to make capons.
There were too many losses.
With the meat birds available today it isn't worth the time and trouble even if there was not any loss.

Forgot to add. When I was very young I was going into the chicken business. I bought a nice rooster and a few hens from a local man. Didn't have much luck in hatching my own replacements. Found out later the rooster was a capon.

[beaglebiz]

My neighbor sells capons at Thanksgiving and Christmas (same guy with the cows). He does it by hand on the chicks with a tool.
I have seen some larger than a turkey from him (no chemicals, but I do beieve he uses cornish X

[Marcia in MT]

I learned to caponize when I was in school (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth . . ) and I recall it wasn't hard. As long as you follow good/clean procedures, most of the chicks will survive.

What I'd like to see is a comparison in growth rates, economy of feed, and the like between capons and Cornish X birds.

[John Carter]

yes. 3 to 6 weeks old but no older.
With the right equipment its easy enough unless your the squeamish type.
I do a couple roos each year, in the spring so they are good a juicy for the fall thanksgiving.

[Patt]

So what is the size and tenderness difference? And do you know a good book or website with easy to follow directions? Thanks!

[Navotifarm]

Patt, here is the link to the article on caponizing by Harvey Ussery:
http://www.themodernhomestead.us/art...aponizing.html
He says not to attempt it unless you have slaughtered and processed many birds, then practice on dead roosters before you attempt surgery on live birds. He uses a Nasco kit which can be ordered from poultry product. Suppliers. Mentions some books, too. He says you have to be careful not to leave any of the testical behind. I had a horse gelded once where all the tissue was not removed so he was what was called a "proud" gelding. It was a REAL problem when he mounted a mare with a rider on her back! Anyway, there's your link.

[Navotifarm]

And here's the link to the caponizing kit Murray McMurray sells:
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/caponizing_kit.htm
It costs $51.85 and comes with instructions. From the picture, it's quite an array of implements! All it lacks is the bottle of gin you might need to anesthesize your own self before you start piercing your young rooster.

[springvalley]

My wonderful wife, Catherine, whose father passed away a few years ago use to tell me all about him doing it when he was younger, I always wanted him to show us how, but he got sick and then couldn`t, I don`t think he ever thought he would have a son-in-law that would want to know. He always told of the time his mother helped him do a bunch for some one, and she got sick watching him do them. He got a chuckle out of that one. It`s always nice to know how to do things even if you`ll never use it. >Thanks Marc

[Navotifarm]

Actually, it's an interesting topic. Prices of the kits have quite a spread so I suppose the quality of the instruments and instruction books varies as well. The hsus article calls it vivisection and says it ought to be banned.

Here's some more links:
http://www.hsus.org/farm/resources/r...re_capons.html

http://www.enasco.com/product/C10606N

http://www.strombergschickens.com/products/capon.php

[Patt]

Hmmmm.....

I don't think I could do it to be honest since there is such a risk of death when you start out. One death would end it for me. I'm good with eating my chickens after they have had a good life and quick death but I don't think I could waste their lives trying to learn how to do this.

It's interesting that anybody came up with this idea at all. We have castrated tons of goats and calves no problem but doing something internal is very different!

Oh well I appreciate all the info!

[John Carter]

capons don crow, and in traditional egg hatching, 50% of the chicks will be roos........too many roos on the farm is a problem....so geld em was an option for further use of the bird.

Regarding the meat, it great, marbalized and soft.and they get so big..........way bigger than normal roo

[Ken Scharabok]

Doesn't answer your question but I called the local vet clinic about caboning a turkey tom. They said it isn't taught at vet school.

[Patt]

Originally Posted by Ken Scharabok

Doesn't answer your question but I called the local vet clinic about caboning a turkey tom. They said it isn't taught at vet school.

That's interesting in light of the HSUS link above that basically implied all roosters should be fixed under anesthesia like cats and dogs......they really have no grip on reality!

[foxtrapper]

I've tried doing it myself, and even have one of the kits. Haven't been impressive in my results. Yes, I am familiar with animal physiology and anatomy.

If you can be shown by someone with experience doing it, I'd say that would be the best way to learn. Trying to figure it out on your own, even on dead chicks, is more difficult than you'd figure.

[Heritagefarm]

Erm, what is a capon?

[Patt]

It's a neutered rooster.