SECTION IX 



CASTRATION OF BIRDS 

 (CAPONIZING) 



The castration of the male fowl gives it a good mar- 

 ket demand as a table delicacy, and when this opera- 

 tion is properly done at an early age, the capon attains 

 abnormal development and the fiber and flavor of the 

 flesh are greatly improved thereby. 



Age. — The best results are obtainable by operating 

 just before the combs are formed, or as early as it is 

 possible to distinguish between the sexes. 



Preparation of the Subject. — AVithhold all food for 

 36 hours and water for 12 hours. 



Restraint. — Arrange for the work a suitable table. 

 One may be improvised by using the head of a barrel, 

 covering it with a clean piece of oil cloth or rubber 

 sheet. Confine the fowl by means of cords and suit- 

 able weights, grasping and holding the two wings 

 within a noose with a weight attached to hang on one 

 side of the table, and attaching a similar expedient to 

 the feet, suspending this weight directly opposite the 

 one which confines the wings. 



Technic. — Prepare the fowl by plucking a few 

 feathers from the surgical area which includes the 

 vicinity of the last intercostal space. In this manner 

 enough skin is bared to allow of its being displaced 

 sufficiently to make an incision in the skin, which, when 

 the structures ai'e released will not match or coincide 

 with the next incision to be made between the last two 



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