caponisation

[baldrick]

Just been reading that this is cruel and illegal and wondering why.Is it one of those laws that hasnt kept up with poultry becoming pets? I can see why it would be cruel conducted without anaesthetic but the law insists on anaesthetic and a vet for gelding/neutering of other creatures. Just wondering why you are allowed to castrate ur dog to stop certain obnoxious male behaviours but cant do the same with boy chickens so have to wring their necks or hide them on allotments or eat or rehome them when the neighbors cant hear the telly????

[RichmondHens]

As far as I'm aware you don't (or can't) castrate them in the same way as dogs or cats. The testes in a cockeral are internal and high up against the spine. I should imagine that it is quite a difficult procedure to undertake. The old sort of caponisation (in the days when you could buy a capon chicken to eat) was done by inserting a hormone tablet under the skin of male chicks. Then there was a lot of hoo ha about us eating the hormones etc etc and it was (quite rightly IMO) stopped in this country. I don't know about overseas.

[baldrick]

apparently its ok in Europe. expect its the hormones then that makes it illegal. Dont fancy eating them and I guess there is always the risk of a pet cockerel ending up on a plate. Thanks I was just wondering! x

[squibbs]

I have seen an instruction guide on surgical caponisation - basically the cock is tied down over something like a small barrel and incisions made through the back in the right place and the testes removed.

No anaesthetic involved of course.

So presumably it would be possible with an anaesthetic (notwithstanding legalities) but frankly I dont think it is worth the effort. Modern birds are table ready well before crowing starts.

I'm afraid if you are breeding chickens you have to be aware that 50% will be males and will need dealing with. Castrating them isnt an answer

[baldrick]

I have seen an instruction guide on surgical caponisation - basically the cock is tied down over something like a small barrel and incisions made through the back in the right place and the testes removed.

No anaesthetic involved of course.

So presumably it would be possible with an anaesthetic (notwithstanding legalities) but frankly I dont think it is worth the effort. Modern birds are table ready well before crowing starts.

I'm afraid if you are breeding chickens you have to be aware that 50% will be males and will need dealing with. Castrating them isnt an answer

I know that. Think everyone does, which is why they eat or rehome surplus cockerels. I was just thinking of those who become subject to noise abatement orders when new neighbors arrive, or pet hens that turn out not to be, was thinking it was a shame for them to lose their homes and often their lives just because they are boys. I know someone who lives in a rural property who had to rehome a cockerel because new neighbors objected and the council enforced it. She was really upset. Bear in mind if these new neighbors wanted peace and quiet the countryside is the last place on earth they should have gone, but then some people are just thick! I can see why an operation like that is unacceptable without anaesthetic obviously, was just wondering why its a full stop no even with anaesthetic. All castrations were done without anaesthetic until it was banned. Its not important to me personally it was just one of my Baldrick stream of conciousness quests for knowledge