Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1917-09-28
IT PAYS TO cAPoNIzE.
cockereis Thus Treated viii Turn Loss
Into Good Profit.

INTO oOOd
one of the greatest leaks in the poul-
try industry has been that caused by
the sale of surplus males. either at "A
loss TO the poultryman or at little more
than the mere cost OF production. IL
Is unfortunate perhaps that III raising
chickens for eggs half OF the fowls
reared develop into cockerels. OF which
only very small percentage are nee
essary for breeding purposes. Thus
each year about half of the stock rails
ed is sacrificed at low prices. the rea-
sons for which are quite apparent:
virtually all of the stock is
Matched In the spring. Surplus cock
erels reach broilcr size In from eight
to twelve weeks and are then dumped
on the market In vast quantities al
virtually the same time. which nat
urally depresses prices. There is more
ers at best. but If the supply could be
distributed throughout the entire year
instead of couple of months there
would he nice profit IN them
Second.-On most farms especially
those that do not make a specially Of
poultry. but which carry chickens more
as a side line or hyproduct. the young
males are allowed too much freedom
and exercise. which tends ia make them
STACEY at an early age. Without any
fattening or preparation for market
they are then sold TO commission deal.
ers and others. who cannot Offer fancy
prices because the stock Is inferior. In
consequence the grower receives from
Is 10 - cents a pound live weight.
which does not cover the cost OF produc.
ton.
Third.-It does hot pay to keep males
Until they are fully naiure1, with large
combs. spurs and other indications OF
age. and then market them. because
the chances are they VIII have 10 be
sole as old ROSTERS. and the returns
will not pay for the cost Of feeding
them TO maturity. There never was q
time when grain should be fhd more
judlciousIy. II must either be fei for
egg production or for meat that viii
command good prices because II Is good
I '
that commands top prices Is eapon meat
or soft roasters which may or may not
be eapons. but at least II j. specially
fattened poultry.
Caponizing Is recommended because
males SO treated are made doclle. inae-
tive. easily fatienea and Increased In
size Just as horses. beef cattle. hogs
and other animals are improved for do
nestle purposes by a similar operation.
Capons will put on more weight per
pound Of food given them than other
poultry: they can be kept In conitne.
ment in large numbers without fighiing.
they can be- kept for ans length Of time
up to a year and sin hc IN prime con
dlfion. sometimes longer. which means
that they can be marketed when poul-
try Is IN scant supply and therefore
bringing good prices.
They are rated as a deliencg In the
large markets and bring corresponding
prices. There Is less waste on a eapou
If IL Is properly grown than on other
fowls. which means an actual saving In
the amount OF edible meat despite the
increased price. they are exceedingly
tractable birds. their only function IN
life Is TO grow and get fat last but
not least. the operation is simple easy
to perform. requiring no more than five
minutes work per bird. and IL Is not 50
cruel as some think.