Re: caponizing chickens

fowls@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (nuele mersch) composed these thoughts and posted
them news:1h99pnc.14o4xrqxjoyrsN%fowls@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

> diddy <diddy@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> I've been looking at various sites on caponizing chickens. No where
>> does it mention anesthesia, or pain killers. Does any one do this?
>> and with what results? surely the chicken experiences pain. What are
>> the mortality rates post caponizing?
>> I've castrated hogs without anesthesia, but this seem a lot more
>> complex since it's internal.
>
>
> Hi Diddy,
>
> it's something that used to be done in the days before the hybrids.
> The old breeds didn't grow up or fatten up as quickly as todays meat
> birds, and so people caponized the boys so they could let them grow up
> longer without the change in flavour that the rising hormone levels of
> an adult male seem to give their meat.
>
> Today it is completely unnecessary, just order meat birds (like you
> did) and you're fine.
>
> Here in Germany, it would be illegal to carry out this operation
> yourself, as it would have to be done under anaesthetics and they may
> only be prescribed and used by veterinarians. They are allowed to do
> it, but it's hardly ever done, for the reasons given above.
>
> HTH
>
> Nuele (D)
>

Thank you. Since these birds are supposed to be butcher ready within 6
weeks, I was wondering how in the world they would be needing castrated
already! For older birds, I can see why that would be necessary.
Thanks for wonderful info.
.