LARGE BREEDS ARE BEST 361 



as cockerels. At six months of age cockerels have received their 

 most rapid growth. The same birds, if caponized when about 

 twelve weeks old, can be made to continue their growth until 

 they are eight and ten months old. 



Larger Breeds Are Best. — Cockerels of any breed can be made 

 to increase in weight by being caponized; yet the larger breeds 



(Courtesy U. S. Dep't Agriculture) 

 Fig. 235. — Side view of capons dressed for market. 



are by far the most desirable. If a poultryman is going to special- 

 ize in capons, rather than develop surplus males as a side line, then 

 of course, the selection of the breed to be used is of primary im- 

 portance. The operator must keep before him the idea of well- 

 finished, well-rounded, solid meat, a bird that has the greatest 

 amount of flesh for the least amount of bone, and the shortest 

 shank. See Fig. 233. This ideal condition is shown by the use 



