MARKETING 



fattening the turkeys. With an abundance of material 

 of this sort the turkeys will fatten themselves and can be 

 marketed in fairly good condition. 



Caponizing 



As a class the young males are harder to fatten than 

 the females. They are especially hard to get in good 

 market condition by Thanksgiving time. This is due 

 in part to the fact that they have larger frames and that 

 it requires a longer feeding period to flesh them in good 

 shape. It is likewise due to the fact that the young 

 males are inclined to separate from the flock and to range 

 by themselves over a much wider area, and this increased 

 activity on their part makes them more difficult to fatten. 

 While caponizing has never been practiced to any great 

 extent on turkeys it is no more difficult an operation than 

 is the case with common fowls and is performed in the 

 same manner and with the same instruments. The result 

 of the operation is to render the males quieter in disposi- 

 tion. They do not gobble or strut. It is probable that 

 on account of the quieting effect it has on them that they 

 would not be inclined to separate from the flock, as do the 

 uncaponized males, and that they would not, therefore, 

 range so far. For this reason it would probably be some- 

 what easier to fatten the turkey capons, especially in time 

 for the Thanksgiving market. Uncaponized young toms 

 are as a rule in much better condition in January than 

 they are in November. 



107 



