364 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



Caponizing is simple and easy to learn; in France it has 

 been practised for centuries, and practically without instruments 

 except a sharp knife. Anyone with average intelligence and a 

 fair amount of dexterity can learn to caponize in a short time. 

 The beginner should practise first with dead fowls, and wherever 

 possible it is well to first attend a practical demonstration. The 

 Agricultural Stations of some states give free lessons at certain 

 seasons. 



Reliable Instruments. — The beginner should purchase a re- 

 liable set of instruments (see Fig. 236), and once he has become 

 familiar with the use of each instrument, and with the manner 

 of making the incision, there will be little difficulty in doing the 

 work. Dexterity is simply a matter of practice. The beginner 

 should caponize a bird in about fifteen minutes; after one has 

 gained the confidence and dexterity that come with practice, 

 this time may be reduced to four or five minutes. The operation 

 is performed with apparently little pain to the subject, and the 

 moment the bird is released he will walk about as if nothing had 

 occurred. 



Two conditions are essential to success in caponizing: One is 

 that the intestines of the bird should be entirely empty, so that 

 there will be the least amount of bulk in the abdominal cavity; 

 the other condition is strong light, which will permit the organs 

 of the bird to be clearly distinguished. Sunlight is best, conse- 

 quently if the weather is favorable it is a good plan to operate 

 outdoors. Withhold all food and water from the fowls for at 

 least twenty-four hours before the operation. Some operators 

 keep the birds off food for forty-eight hours, which insures empty 

 intestines. 



The bird must be secured to the operating table in a convenient 

 manner; pass a noose of cord about the legs, as shown in Fig. 

 237, and tie the wings in the same way. Attach weights to the 

 ends of the cords, which will hold the bird in any desired position. 



Have the instruments conveniently at hand, also a basin of 

 water, to which have been added a few drops of carbolic acid, and 



