CAPONS AND CAPONIZING. 
CONTENTS. 
Page. 
Description and characteristics of the capon. 3 
Selection of breeds. 4 
Time to caponize. 5 
Caponizing instruments. 5 
The operation of caponizing. 7 
Page. 
Care of fowls after the operation. 11 
Feeding capons. 12 
Killing and dressing capons for market. 13 
Profits. 15 
I T IS IMPOSSIBLE to say just how long the operation of capon¬ 
izing has been performed. It seems quite certain, however, that 
the practice was familiar to the Chinese more than 2,000 years 
ago. Later it was practiced by the Greeks and Romans and, through 
medieval times, by the people of middle and southern Europe, until 
in recent times it has been introduced into America. At present 
capons are most universally known and appreciated in France, al¬ 
though within the last few years the business of producing them has 
advanced rapidly in this country. This industry is most important 
in that portion of the United States east of Philadelphia, though 
increasing numbers of capons are being raised in the Middle Western 
States. During the winter months capon is regularly quoted in the 
markets of the larger eastern cities. Massachusetts and New Jersey 
are the great centers for the growing of capons, while Boston, New 
York, and Philadelphia are the important markets. 
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAPON. 
What is a capon? A capon is an altered or castrated male chicken, 
bearing the same relation to a cockerel that a steer does to a bull, a 
barrow to a boar, or a wether to a ram. As with other male animals 
so altered, the disposition of the capon differs materially from that 
of the cockerel. He no longer shows any disposition to fight, is 
much more quiet and sluggish, and is more docile and easy to keep 
within bounds. The true capon seldom crows. Along with this 
change in disposition there is a change in appearance. The comb 
and wattles cease growing, which causes the head to appear small. 
The hackle and saddle feathers develop beautifully. 
As a result of the more peaceful disposition of the capon he con¬ 
tinues to grow and his body develops more uniformly and to a some- 
17828° — 17 — Bull. 849 ’ 3 
