.34 PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTIOK 



large numbers of early chicks can dispose of sur- 

 plus cockerels as capons better than as broilers or 

 ordinary roasters. The feed required is with him 

 a much smaller matter than with the poultryman, 

 because a large quantity can be picked up b}' the 

 fowls themselves and even the grain which he 

 would otherwise sell can be disposed of as poultry 

 flesh at a higher figure than as grain. Such being 

 the case, cockerels which at 5 to 6 pounds would 

 sell for $3 to $5 a dozen can be caponized, made to 

 weigh ID to 12 pounds and sold at much higher 

 prices. They should thus net the grower from 10 

 to 16 cents a pound or about half the Eastern mar- 

 ket prices; figures that would mean high value for 

 the feed consumed as well as paying liberally for 

 the work. There need be no fear that the market 

 will be oversupplied because the demand for well- 

 grown, well-dressed capons is annually increasing. 



The object of caponizing is not primarily to in- 

 crease the size of the fowl, but to heighten the 

 quality of the flesh. Since capons do not quarrel or 

 worry one another, they can be kept in large flocks 

 with assurance that they will fatten easily and more 

 economically than other classes of fowls. 



Only the large breeds are suitable for caponiz- 

 ing; small capons, while salable, do not command 

 highest prices. For this reason, the Mediterranean 

 and most of the other European breeds are not 

 suitable for caponizing, though, perhaps, the Faver- 

 olle, the Orpington and the Dorking may be large 

 enough, if well bred for size. These varieties, how- 

 ever, are not very widely popular in America. Un- 

 questionably, the American and the Asiatic breeds 

 lead in their value for caponizing. Well-bred Light 

 Brahma cockerels, with proper attention and enough 



