Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1911 — POULTRY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POULTRY

GOOD QUALITIES OF CAPONS Although Industry Is Growing Rapidly Supply Does Not Begin to Equal the Demand. (By R R SLOCUM.) A capon is a male chicken bearing the same relation to a cockerel that a steer does to a bull, a barrow to a boar or a wether to a ram. As with other animals of this kind,, the disposition of the capon differs materially

from that of the cockerel. He no longer shows any disposition to fight. Is much more quiet and is easy to keep within bounds. The true capon never crows. Along with this change in disposition there is a change in appearance. The comb and wattles cease growing, which causes the head to appear small. The hacker and saddle feathers develop beautifully. Indeed, these feathers and the undeveloped comb and wattles serve to identify the capon and In consequence should never be removed when the bird is dressed for the market. As a result of the more peaceful disposition, the capon continues to grow and his body develops more uniformly and to a somewhat greater sixe thaq. is the case with the cockerel of the same age. For a time the cockerel and the capon make about equal development, but in a short time the capon outstrips the cockerel In growth. As they do not fight nor worry one another, a large flock of capons may be kept together. Coupled with the better growth is the fact that the capon brings a better price per pound. Cockerels up to 5 months old usually bring from 12 to 18 cents a pound; if held longer than , this they are classed as old cocks and do not bring more than 6 to 12 cents a pound. There are two then, why it is better to caponize surplus cockerels than to raise them for market as such: (1) There is an increase In weight, and (2) the price per pound is materially increased, Yet in many localities where especially fine poultry is raised, while capons usually sell for a somewhat better price the difference is not great. In fact, for the Boston market many capons are picked clean and sold as “South Shore roosters.” Hence it will be seen that the profit In capons must depend to a great extent upon local conditions. In selecting the breed best suited for caponizing, several factors must be taken Into consideration. ' Large capons bring the best prices. Consequently the breed should be large. It does not pay to caponize small fowls. Yellow legs and skin, as in other classes of poultry, are most popular. The Plymouth Rocks, Light Brahmas, Cochins, Indian Games, Langshans and Wyandottes are all recommended by different producers, as are also various crosses of these. The Brahmas and Cochins possess good size. By some the Brahmas are claimed to be difficult to operate upon; by others this is denied. The Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes are somewhat smaller, but sell readily and possess the advantage of yellow skin and legs. The Langshan is large and Is easily operated upon. The Indian Game is probably the most useful as a cross upon some one of the

other breeds, thereby improving the breast meat without materially reducing the size of the fowl. In Massachusetts the Brahma was formerly the most popular breed for this purpose, because of the demand for large birds for roasters. Later, crosses between the Light Brahma and the Barred or White Plymouth Rock became quite popular, while at present the pure Barred and White Plymouth Rocks are also considered suitable and are widely used.

Diagram Showing Where Incision Should Be Made Between Last Two Ribs.

Method of Securing Fowl; Also Spreader in Place.