THE POULTRY YARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 236, 24 December 1927, Page 24

THE POULTRY YARD

(By GEO. H. AMBLER)

REARING THE CAPON How To Do It NOTWITHSTANDING the fact that so much has from time to time been written concerning the advantages of caponising the cockerels, very little is carried out among the poultry-keepers of this country, and at Christmas it is practically impossible to buy capons. Many are sold in the shops as such, but they are not capons at all, but merely very large cockerels, weighing 101 bto 121 b. In France caponising is very extensively carried out, and in the spring of the year thousands of youngsters are operated upon. Large quantities are exported to England, where they are able to command excellent prices; and where there is always a ready demand.

jyjANY people do not advocate operating upon the chickens upon the ground of cruelty, and others that it does not repay one for the time and labour expended. Both ideas are erroneous and misleading. The amount of pain is very little, and, besides, if it were so, the same practice is invariably carried out with the larger class of stock. The amount of labour involved is also nothing worth regarding, as a person after a little experience can perform the operation in a very few minutes. There are those, too, who do not advocate caponising, as they say the risk of death is so great. This is also both erroneous and misleading. I have operated upon a large number, but the percentage of deaths has been practically nil, and I have always found the chickens to thrive and develop well save in a few isolated cases. Anyone who rears a large number of chickens must know how difficult it sometimes is to prevent the cockerels from fighting among each other, frequently causing considerable harm. When the cockerels have been operated upon their fighting instincts are largely done away with, and it is possible to keep them together or with the pullets without any inconvenience. This is, of course, only a slight advantage, but is a point that may be taken into consideration when discussing the benefits of caponising. I have many times seen in different parts of France capons being employed to rear up chickens, and I have been told they make fair sitters and excellent mothers. They are careful and attentive to the chickens, and being big, are able to cover a large number of eggs. PREPARING THE BIRDS.

Before performing the operation, which is by no means as difficult as it would appear, there are certain precautions necessary. Small details they may seem to some, but if neglected they may cause the most serious results. The bird to be caponised should be starved for 24 hours previously, in order to thoroughly empty the system of all food, as it is almost impossible to perform the operation successfully if the intestines are full. For 12 hours after caponising nothing should be given to the bird, and at the end of this period only well-swollen food, which is better if cooked. Bread soaked in milk or water is very suitable. The bird should not be given as much as it can eat for two or three days, for fear of re-opening the wound in its side. The instruments employed should be perfectly clean, and both before and after the operation they should be dipped in boiling water and then into a solution of permanganate of potash. The utmost, cleanliness must be observed in all details, and too much care in this direction is impossible.

The best age to caponise cockerels is when they are from 10 to 14 weeks, or immediately they commence attempting to crow. If done when the chickens are quite young they make better birds in the long run. Capons 10 months may weigh from 10 to 131 b, and I have had them considerably heavier. The amount of offal is comparatively small, and thus most of the weight is composed of flesh. The best plan to follow is to experiment with one or two dead ones before attempting to caponise live birds. In this way there will be less danger of causing the birds unnecessary pain when the live ones are commenced with. A steady hand is required, and a *good light, without which the operation will never be successful. HOW IT IS DONE. The operation should be performed as follows: A piece of stout cord, about two feet in length, is tied on to the hocks of the bird, at the other end of which a half brick or some similar weight is fastened; another cord is tied around the wings, close to the body, and to this also a weight is attached. The bird is laid upon its side upon a table and the two half bricks are hung over opposite sides, thus preventing the bird from moving about. This is very important, as the least movement on the part of the bird may cause a serious mishap. A few feathers should be moved from the uppermost side, and those around this part damped in order to keep them lying back on the body. A slit about 1 1-3 inches is made between the first and second ribs, into which a spreader is placed in order to keep them well apart. Next pierce the striffin, a thin skin covering the bowels, when the testicle will be exposed to view. This should be taken hold of by the instrument known as the gripper, turned round once so as to separate it from its attachments, and gradually and gently pulled out. Care must be taken not to catch hold of a part of the intestine, as in this way harm may be done the bird. The other testicle may be moved in a similar manner by making a cut at the other side, but a better way is to remove them both from the same side. The bird requires to be thoroughly emptied of all food for this, and it is advisable to starve it for about a day and a-half previously. It requires a good deal of care to remove both testicles successfully from the one side, but with experience it will become quite easy. A good set of instruments costs about a guinea, and it will be well worth procuring a set if many birds are to be done, as by their means the operation can be performed more quickly and expeditiously. However, they can be dispensed with, and instead of the grippers which take hold of the testicles a loop of fine string can be let down into the interior of the body directly over the testicle, drawn tight, and gradually and slowly pulled out. I have caponised fowls in this way, but it occupies more time, and then cannot be done as well. The cut at the side does not require to be sewn up, as it will heal of its own accord in a few days.

Cockerels after they have been caponised must not perch for 10 days or a fortnight, otherwise the wound will reopen. They should be provided with a soft bed of litter upon which to roost. There are two dangers in caponising, both of which with care can be overcome. Sometimes the testicles break and become mixed up with the intestines, setting up inflammation and death. The second danger is that of breaking a vein near the testicles. Should this occur there is grave danger of the bird’s bleeding to death.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENT W.M.8., Cambridge.—You can use Buff Orpingtons for a sex-linked cross with 'White Wyandottes if you use the Buff Orpington male bird, and the White Wyandottes are really pure. You will get sex-linkage in such a case, the cockerels being white and the pullets buff. They should make quite a good winter laying cross, but of course they will be broody in the spring. Another cross with "White Wyandotte, which would not be quite so broody, would be Buff Leghorn male, and this would be a good cross also.

GENERAL NOTES COMPETITION INNOVATION A new method of scoring is to be tried in a laying competition in progress in America. A licensed standard judge will score 'each bird separately, and a descriptive card will be put up, showing how many points are awarded for good quality and how many are deducted for defects. If a bird does not comply closely with the standard it will be .disqualified. In addition to the monthly record made by each bird the owner will receve a card giving the full description of every bird in the various breeds. The idea of this is to enable him to mate up his flock on suitable lines, so as to improve both general appearance and egg production.

GREETINGS The Auckland Yorkshire Canary Club wishes to take this' opportunity of wishing all kindred elutes the compliments of the season, and hopes that the 1928 show season will prove to be “Bigger, brighter and better” than ever for all concerned. PROMISING STOCK If one can take a line from conversations held with local Yorkshire canary exhibitors, next season is going to see some fine specimens benched in the unflighted classes. Truly competition for the Davis trophy promises to be exceptionally keen. Dryness, sunshine and a dust-bath are indispensable to the health and comfort of fowls. * * * • MARKETING DUCK EGGS A recent convert to duck-keeping, who has done well with a few ducks, writes to say he has decided to hatch a large number of ducks during the next breeding season, and will, proportionately, reduce the numb/: of hens kept on his small poultry farm. It is hardly necessary to state that I am interested in the development of the duck industry, but at the same time it is well to remember that the demand for duck eggs is not as general as the demand for hen eggs. This being so, I should strongly advise my correspondent to make sure of a good market for his duck eggs before increasing the duck population to any extent. Personally, I would advise him to keep both hens and ducks as, until the valuable properties of the duck egg are better known, there will always be a large number of people who prefer hen eggs. VALUE OF DUCK EGGS

Duck eggs contain 3 per cent, more oils and fats, 1 per cent, more protein. 4 per cent, less water, 6 per cent, less shell than hen eggs. Nine duck eggs equal twelve good hen eggs, and, of course, there are only nine shells instead of twelve. Duck eggs weigh 21b to the dozen and make excellent cakes, etc. For omelettes the French women always prefer duck eggs. t * * * AUSTRALIAN POULTRY SHOW The South Australian 53rd annual poultry show, which was held in conjunction with the South Australian. Kennel Club, was an unqualified success. The entries in the feathered section numbered 1,800, there being no fewer than 143 Old English Game, 113 Old English Game Bantams. 43 Modern Game Bantams and 82 Variety Bantams. These were backed up with good entries in practically all exhibition varieties, not excluding the Malay. From the above, it is evident that keen interest is being taken in the breeding of purebred stock in Adelaide. The prize for the best “soft feathered bird” was won by a White Plymouth Rock. A Modern Black Red Game Bantam had the honour of winning the trophy for the best bird in the show. SEX DETECTION I received, by this week’s American mail, for inspection what appeared from the printed instructions accompanying it a most marvellous invention. Besides claiming to possess the power of telling the sex of an egg or animal, I was assured it would tell the sex of the wrier of any newlywritten letter. Having by the same post received a letter from a wellknown male fancier, I promptly applied the test, and without the least hesitation it pronounced him of the female persuasion. The only really sensible item about the whole affair was that the manufacturer warned me against buying “worthless” Instruments for a similar purpose, and I can with the utmost confidence hand on this advice to all who think of investing in any sort of egg sex detector.

HINTS FOR DUCK-KEEPERS Do not attempt to catch ducks by their legs: it is much safer to handle them by the neck. Do not reduce their weight by taking a lamp among them at night. Keep ducks away from the creek at night-time, otherwise many eggs will be lost. Always provide plenty of carbonate and phosphate of lime to assist shellmaking; oyster shell supplies this need. Never throw dry lime in a duck pen —it kills. To breed healthy ducklings, avoid the heavy, fattened birds, which lay but few eggs; even these are usually infertile. Ducks for market should be fed well; feed as much as possible—up to 10 weeks. They pay better when fattended before they commence to shed their young feathers.