BREEDING 



99 



must be older, comparatively, than other farm animals 

 before the operation can be undertaken. The birds that are 

 killed die a quick and painless death by bleeding. They 

 are not a total loss, as they are perfectly wholesome for food. 

 "It is difficult to state the exact size or age at which a 

 cockerel may be most successfully operated upon, as different 

 birds develop differently. As a starting-point, however, 

 the beginner will be safe in using birds weighing between 



Fig. 39 



A home-made caponizing table. (Courtesy of Mr. George Beuoy.) 



one and a half and two pounds if they are of the Plymouth 

 Rock, Rhode Island Red, Wyandotte, or Orpington breeds. 

 Leghorns weighing a pound may be used also. Later, as 

 one becomes more familiar with the matter, the birds will 

 be selected by their 'look' rather than by weight or age. 

 The cockerel shown in Fig. 38 is just ready. The proper 

 time is just before he begins to make comb, when the organs 

 are about the size of a small navy bean. 



