186 PRACTICAL POULTRY PRODUCTION 



as a table fowl. For this reason the price received for 

 capons is usually greater than that received for cocks. 

 The capon continues to grow longer than a cockerel and fat- 

 tens more readily, consequently reaching a larger size. 



The advisability of caponizing. The production of capons 

 for market is a specialized branch of the poultry industry. 

 The center of this industry will be found principally in 

 the East in the states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, and 

 eastern Pennsylvania, where capons are produced for the 

 markets of the larger eastern cities. "Soft roasters" which 

 have been for years produced in large numbers on the south 

 shore of Massachusetts are in most instances capons, the 

 males being caponized so they will attain an increased size 

 and have a superior quality of flesh. The advisability of 

 caponizing surplus cockerels rather than to sell them as 

 broilers depends largely upon local market conditions. That 

 is, the local or near-by markets should show a demand for 

 capons and the price paid should be such as to make the 

 venture profitable. In any event it is more profitable to 

 caponize the cockerels than to keep them without caponizing 

 and allow them to develop into cocks, as these bring a lower 

 price than any class of market poultry. If, therefore, condi- 

 tions are not favorable for the production of capons, the sur- 

 plus cockerels should be marketed as broilers. When possible, 

 a few cockerels should be caponized for home use in the win- 

 ter. It is not generally advisable to raise capons on a 

 limited range or where they have to be fed all that they 

 require to eat. As the object of caponizing is to produce 

 flesh, the capon's appetite and desire for feed is greater than 

 that of other fowls. It is, therefore, advisable that they be 

 given plenty of range, when possible, so that they can for- 

 age for part of their feed and thereby help to reduce the 

 cost of production. Other conditions being favorable, the 

 general farm is an ideal place for the production of capons. 



