Why caponize chickens?

Answer 1

Well, caponizing does require some skill and a steady hand, since it is a serious operation from the standpoint of the chicken, is best done by experienced individuals. Male birds are typically caponized at two to four weeks of age. The testes of a male chicken are located within the abdominal cavity.

The cockerel is taken off feed and water 12 to 24 hours prior to surgery and postoperative antibiotics are given to reduce the possible chances of infection. Intestines are not full and crowding the abdominal cavity during the operation. The partially empty intestines settle away from the testes, thus providing improved visibility within the body cavity. The bird must be penned on wire or a clean floor or it may ingest litter material.

Surgical caponizing involves total removal of the testes at about two to four weeks of age. The operation may be performed on older birds, but the young bird suffers less adverse effects and survival rate is higher. Removal of both complete testes is necessary since any fragments that remain will grow and produce enough male hormones to create a "slip." While a "slip" will not be a normally functioning cockerel, it will also not yield the desirable meat qualities of a good capon.

Using a sharp scalpel or knife, a one-inch incision is made through the skin and other tissues between the two posterior ribs. The testes are located on the dorsal wall at the anterior end of the kidneys, posterior to the lungs. The testes of a three-week-old cockerel are about the size of a large piece of grain and may be yellowish, white, gray or black in color.

Both testes are surgically removed from a single incision, the lower or left testes removed first. Care must be taken not to rupture large blood vessels located between the two testes. The upper, right testis is then similarly removed. In the commercial industry electrically heated cautery equipment is used. It prevents excessive bleeding and may reduce the incidence of "slips". This is what may pose a problem for a private citizen who whishes to caponize and lacks the skills. Chickens lack blood-clotting agents and thus excessive bleeding could cause death. Once the bird is released, the incision should close without need for sutures or bandage. Following surgery the birds should be provided feed and water in a clean pen where they are not crowded. Crowding may cause cannibalism.

Answer 2

Caponizing was done to make the rooster less aggressive. It was also a way to fatten them up for their intended use, meat. Caponized birds used less energy and muscle, ate more and were ready for market sooner than non caponized cockerels.

Answer 3

Capons are male chickens that have had surgery to remove the testes.