10 
farmers’ BULLETIN 849. 
Fio. 5.—The incision made. Before making the cut, the skin over the last two ribs is 
pulled down toward the thigh and held there while the incision is made. When the 
bird is released after the operation, the skin slips back into its natural position. The 
cut in the skin is then not directly over the incision in the body, with the result that 
the wound is closed and protected. 
of the hair or wire, being careful not to catch any part of the 
artery. If the spermatic cord does not separate, saw lightly with 
the hair or wire. When the testicle is free, remove it from the body. 
The method of removing the testicle is shown in figure 8. If only 
the upper testicle has been removed, turn the bird over and proceed 
in exactly the same manner upon the other side. 
After removing the testicle, if the bleeding is at all profuse it is 
well to remove a portion of the blood by introducing small pieces 
of absorbent cotton into the body bv means of the hook or nippers, 
allowing them to become saturated and then removing them, lie sure 
to remove all blood clots, feathers, or foreign matter. After the 
testicles and all foreign matter are removed, take out the spreaders, 
thus allowing the skin to slip back over the incision. 
LOSSES DUE TO CAPONIZING. 
Even experts are sure to kill some birds, but the loss is small, 
seldom exceeding 5 per cent where any considerable number are 
caponized, and usually not more than 2 or 3 per cent. With be¬ 
ginners, of course, the percentage is much larger, but with a little 
practice and care this is soon overcome. Any fowls which may be 
killed in ibis way are perfectly good to eat and are therefore not 
wasted. 
A great deal of practice is required to become expert enough to 
operate rapidly. Consequently it is quite common in localities where 
many capons are grown to hire experts to do the work. These men 
are able to caponize a fowl every two to five minutes, and charge 
from 3 to C> cents a fowl for the service. It is most humane for the 
beginner to make his first trials upon dead fowls. 
