POULTRY KEEPING 621 



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 of the capon he con- 

 tinues to grow and his body develops more uniformly and to a some- 

 what greater size than is the case with a cockerel of the same age. 

 There are two reasons, 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 in- 

 creased. 



Selection of Breeds. 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 Plym- 

 outh Rocks, Light Brahmas, Cochins, Indian Games, Langshans, 

 and \Vyandottes 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 oper- 

 ate upon ; by others this is denied. The Plymouth Rocks and Wy- 

 andottes are somewhat smaller, but sell readily and possess the ad- 

 vantage of yellow skin and eggs. The Langshan is large and is easily 

 operated upon. The Indian Game is probably 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. 



Time to Caponize. In so far as the effects of the operation and 

 the rapidity and ease of healing are concerned, the time of year 

 when the operation is performed is of little importance. The capons 

 seem to recover and do well at any time. Certain other considera- 

 tions, however, do influence the time. The age and size of the cock- 

 erel are very important. As soon as the cockerels weigh 2 to 3 

 pounds, or when 2 to 4 months old, they should be operated upon. 

 The lower age and weight limits apply particularly to the American 

 breeds, while the higher apply to the Asiatics. If smaller than this, 

 their bodies do not give room enough to work handily. On the 

 other hand, they should never be over 6 months old, as by this time 

 the testicles have developed to a considerable extent, the spermatic 

 arteries carry greater amounts of blood, and the danger of pricking 

 these arteries and causing the fowl to bleed to death is greatly in- 

 creased. (Agr. Dep. F. B. 452.) 



Caponizing Instruments. The manufacturers of caponizing 

 instruments place them on the market in the complete sets that meet 

 the requirements of the beginner. They also furnish with these 

 sets of instruments brief directions for operating. 



Marketing Poultry and Poultry Products. A large part of the 

 profit in poultry keeping often depends on the marketing of the 

 products, and the producer should study the market demands as to 

 how, where, and when to dispose of the products to the best advan- 

 tage. An attractive appearance is of prime importance, and the 

 producer should study the details of killing, dressing, and packing 

 in order to arrange the products in the best possible manner. The 



