PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 101 



Capons sometimes become so motherly in their manners 

 that they are used; for brooding chickens. They succeed 

 admirably in fulfilling the mission of the broody hen. 

 Capons are readily restrained within limited quarters 

 and seem to devote their energies almost entirely to eat- 

 ing, digesting and growing. The American and Asiatic 

 breeds of poultry furnish chickens that are well suited 

 for making capons. The Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island 

 Reds and Light Brahmas make especially nice capons. 

 The qualities of early maturing and easily fattening are 

 particularly favorable to the production of plump, prof- 

 itable capons. An especially desirable characteristic is 

 that the ribs of the bird shall have ample spaces between 

 them. 



The Canonizing Instruments. A set of modern in- 

 struments for performing the operation of caponizing 

 includes the following: 



1. An operating stand or easel for holding the 

 chicken while being caponized. The board on which the 

 bird is placed should be about two feet by three feet 

 and have half -inch holes through which are passed the 

 cords holding the wings and legs of the chicken. The 

 board may have its corners rounded or be made in the 

 form of an elipse is so desired. Some operators use the 

 top of a flour barrel for a caponizing table. 



2. Two strong cords, one to fasten about the wings 

 near the body, and the other to fasten around the legs 

 just above the hocks. The ends of the cordfe pass 

 through holes in the operating board and are held taught 

 by weights. 



3. A sharp thin steel bladte for cutting through th 

 side of the chicken. The handle of this blade may be 

 of two pieces forming a pair of forceps. 



4. A sprin-g spreader for holding open the sides of 

 the incision made between the ribs. 



5. A probe for use, if needed, in pushing away the 

 intestines so that a clear view and room for operating 

 are secured. 



6. A twisting spoon or scoop and lu*f>k. These two 

 instruments may be separate or the hook may be placed 

 at the end of the handle of the spoon. 



