Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-06-20
How To Caponize.
BY Roy H. WHITE, In MARYLAND AGRI-
CULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
BULLETIN No. 226.

Although caponizing has been practiced
since ancient times. it has only been in
recent years that instruments have been
perfected to such point that anyone not
an expert can perform the operation with
success. There has been considerable in
quiry from poultry raisers in Maryland for
information and instruction on the method
of performing the operation, therefore this
bulletin. outlining the method which has
proven successful at this Experiment Sta
ton. is published with the hope that it
will furnish the information desired.
EFFECT Or CAPoNIzING.
When the reproductive organs of cocker
els are removed the fighting instinct dis
appears, the birds develop a lazy, care
free disposition. and not only do they put
on more flesh on account of their mac
tivity but the flesh retains more of the
quality of the young chicken. There is a
common opinion that the capon attains
great size. This opinion is no doubt due
to overzeal on the part of some adver-
tisers of capon tools. In our experience
with several fiocks of capons at this station
we found that they did not grow larger
than normal males of the same age, but
they did take on more flesh of very much
superior quality.
The comb and wattles of a capon do not
develop and the head remains small and
colorless-often being mistaken for I'M
healthiness by the inexperienced. Other
secondary sexual characters. the pointed
feathers of the neck and those just in front
Of the tail, and the large curved sickle
feathers Of the tail grow profusely. 1t is
by means of these characteristics that the
capon is recognized after it is dressed.
The head. neck feathers and tail feathers
are left on when the capon is picked and
serve as a trademark by which the bird is
known to be capon.
TIME To MARKET.
The market season for capons is January
February and March. At other times, in
the Maryland markets at least, they will
bring no more than ordinary fowl, unless,
of course, one has developed a special
trade. Capons bridge over the time be-
tween the turkey season around the hol-
days and brOiler season when spring chick
ems begin to come on the market. During
this time the Baltimore market usually
quotes them from is to 20 per cent. in
advance of the price of fowl
A cOckerel of any breed can be capon-
lied, but it is not usually profitable to
caponize the smaller breeds While any
one of the larger breeds makes good
capons ii is true, that in this state Barred
Plymouth Rocks are more popular with the
consumer and of course he is the one the
producer aims to satisfy Barred feathers
have become a trademark of quality with
many consumers who know little about
the numerous varieties and breeds of poul-
try.
PROPER AGE AT Winch To OPERATE.
An 8 to IL weeks old chick if well grown
will weigh from IL to 2 pounds and is
about the proper size to be caponized.
While skilled operator by being very
careful can successfully caponize cock
erels almost grown there is much less in
jury to the bird at an early age Older
birds have combs developed and these de-
tract from the dressed appearance of the
carcass when sent TO market. Many pro-
fessi0nal capOnizers make practice of
cutting off the comb and wattles at the
time of caponizing.
There are three things which the begin
ner in caponizing must keep in mind. one
of these being to have the chick at the
proper size. which is discussed in the pre-
attempt the operation only in good light.
This means sunlight. When one becomes
skilled he can operate in almost any light,
but the novice must first learn thoroughly
the position Of the organs by seeing them
before he can resort to any euess-work.
The third requirement is to have the
chicks properly starved. This means that
they must be kept from food, water and
even dirt for at least "a hours better SO
or 48 hours, for the beginner. When in
the proper condition the intestines will be
empty and will fall away from the side
where the cut is made. thus preventing
injury by the knife point. By being empty
they also allow the reproductive organs to
be seen much easier.
OPERATING TABLE.
1t Is necessary to fasten the chick down
while the operation is being performed
Two pairs of holes. at the proper distance |
to fit the wings and legs. are bored in |
barrel and strings passed through them to
which half bricks are attached. The wings |
OF the chick are slipped under one loop
and the legs under the other. The weight
of the bricks holds the bird still. Person
ally perfer a board. for with this arrange
ment it is possible to turn the bird over
without loosening its wings or legs This
outfit is easily made. II consists of plat
form about 2 feet by feet which can be
made from almost any kind of lumber.
Make two small hooks and fasten them to
the ends Of two pieces Of strong Irvine, one
piece about l6 inches long. the other
about feet Fasten the free end of the 49,
inch piece Of Irvine to one end of platform
near the middle On the opposite end Of
the platform fasten a rope cleat which can
be made from piece Of strap iron about
S inches long bent into slight curve and
attached to the platform with two screws
through the center.
To fasten the chicken to this board pass
the hook end Of the shorter cord around
both wings close up to the body and fas-
ten. In the same manner fasten the LEGS
with the hook end of the other string, then
draw taut and wind the free end of the