394 BROILERS, ROASTERS, AND CAPONS 
knife, cannula threaded with horsehairs, and spreader. A cord 
with hooks is a part of the set. 
In reality the above set consists of six instruments so designed 
as to be combined into only four, thus lessening the time lost by 
handling so many instruments. The horsehairs are thick and 
about eighteen inches long. These form a loop for the cannula. 
( 
l 
Fig. 181.—Caponizing instruments. A, Spoon and hook; B, forceps and knife; C, cannula 
threaded with horsehair; D, spreader; E, cord and hooks. 
A suitable table or board is needed to operate on. A barrel top 
may be used, the bird being fastened down to it by means of strings 
with wire hooks at either end. To one end of each string a weight 
is fastened, while one of the free ends is tied around the wings 
near the body and the other around the shanks at the hock joint. 
Where many birds are to be caponized, it is advisable to have a 
special board which is firm and holds the bird securely, and so 
arranged that he may be quickly tied or released. 
Preparation of the Birds—For twenty-eight to thirty-six 
