Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-17
The CapOn

The demand for capons is growing
by leaps and bounds. The demand
is far greater than the supply. This
great money making bird will con-
tinue to be popular in spite of the
fact that many farmers and poultry
men believe the operation means sud-
den death. This of course is far
from the truth as the loss is very
small when compared to the profits.
An experienced operator will seldom
lose over three birds to the hundred.
Then, too, capons are unusually
healthy.
The production OF capons is not a
new fad 1t is impossible to say just
how long people have been reaping
profits from capons. 1t seems quite
certain that more than two thousand
years ago the Chinese produced ca
pons. They were later source of
income for the Greeks, Romans and
the people of middle and southern
Europe. At the. present time capons
are more universally known and ap-
preciated in France than in any
other country. 1t has only been a
few years since they were introduced
into America but they have now
become a rapidly growing industry
in our country.
A capon no longer shows any dis
position to fight but becomes more
docile and quiet. His contented dis
position causes him to grow larger
and develop more uniformly until he
becomes a very choice food product
for which the demand continues not
withstanding the fact that they are
raised in larger and larger numbers
each year.
ie al rlo ~
ance. The head appears very small
and feminine because the comb and
wattles cease growing. The hackle
and saddle feathers develop beauti-
fully. When capon is dressed, the
head, neck feathers and tail feathers
are always left on as they serve as
a trade mark by which a bird Is
known as a capon. A true capon
seldom crows and is very easily con-
fined.
Capons bring such fancy prices be-
cause their flesh remains soft and
tender and has such a delicic US
flavor which is so desirable for table
purposes.
AS a general rule they grow very
large, grow for a longer period of
time and fatten more readily than
cockerels and on less feed.
There is a good demand for capons
in the early spring. They seem to
fill in the market between the holi-
day and broiler season.
Capons can be used to brood chicks
on small scale but this is not prat-
ticed to any great extent.
Capons afford an opportunity to
turn the late Matched cockerels into
money. Early Matched cockerels US
nalIxr brine
but the late Matched cockerels come
at time when the market is crowd
ed and the price low. These are the
| ones that can be carried over to ad-
vantage as capons and placed on a
winter market with profit.
There are several factors to be
taken into consideration when select
ing a breed suitable for capons. The
! breed should be large because large
capons bring the best prices. 1t is
| never practical nor profitable to ca
ponize small breeds such as Anconas
or Leghorns because they do not at
tain sufficient size to make choice
capons. 1t is important that the
breed selected should have yellow
legs and skin as these are the most
popular. We may say that any of
the large breeds having yellow skin
and legs make desirable capons.
Probably the only time when it is
not practical to produce capons is
when the range is limited and 1t is
necessary to keep them penned so
they have no opportunity to range
for part Of their feed. Capons have
enormous appetites but when given
plenty OF range they can forage for
: the greater part of their feed ard