How to Make a Capon From a Rooster

I can hear you now… WHAT?

Yes friends, it is possible to make a rooster think he’s a broody hen.

It’s crazy, I know! It defies all laws of nature. And I’m not sure how I feel about messing with hormones and all. But for informational purposes I thought I’d share what I’ve learned about “caponizing” chickens. Because it’s fascinating to me.

The term “caponizing”, for those who’ve never heard the word, refers to neutering your roosters. I was a little surprised when I first came across this idea. I guess I never thought of roosters as having testicles!

Have you ever seen a rooster’s testicles?

Interestingly, you can find them by making an incision between the chicken’s last two ribs where they are hidden among other internal organs. Here’s a link explaining the entire castration process step-by-step: Caponizing Chickens.

With that said, this post will walk you through everything you need to know about what a capon is – and how to caponize your own roosters at home.

What is a Capon?

A capon is a male chicken that has been castrated, or surgically altered to remove the testes. This results in a bird that is significantly larger than a regular chicken, with more tender and flavorful meat.

The best time to caponize is between 6 weeks and 3 months of age, depending on the chicken’s weight and breed.

Why Would You Caponize a Rooster?

Actually, neutering roosters isn’t really done with the intention of producing surrogate mothers. Broodiness is just a side-effect of the hormonal changes the rooster experiences after losing his testicles. (He will also become less aggressive and will even crow much less often!)

Caponizing became popular thousands of years ago when it was discovered that roosters would grow up to 50% larger when neutered, making this a great way to turn an otherwise scrawny rooster into a large and quite flavorful meal.

The downside is that most of that extra weight is fat instead of meat, although some say this makes for a delicious and juicy bird unlike any commercially grown chicken.

This practice has fallen out of favor as larger meat breeds which have been engineered to mature in as little as five weeks have been introduced to the market.

(If you are interested in raising your own meat birds, but don’t like the idea of using Cornish Cross hybrids, you might consider raising capons!)

There are several methods of caponizing, ranging from buying a professional kit to diy improvisation. According to a fellow homesteader named Gypsy:

An old method of caponizing chickens involves a straw with horse hair running through it in a loop to lasso the testicle. Other methods of caponizing involve cutting a “V” into your pinkie fingernail and hooking them that way.

Not that I’d recommend either of these methods. 

It is a minor surgery which does carry risk, so experts recommend you practice the procedure on an already dead bird before performing the surgery for real.

With that said, below are some steps to follow if you want to make a capon yourself. Again, I recommend involving a vet if you plan on doing this.

Benefits of Caponizing

The benefits of caponizing are worth consideration:

• Delicious, juicy meat
• No more fighting, aggressive roosters
• Save money by ordering straight runs and caponizing any baby roos
• Use a capon as a surrogate to hatch out and adopt chicks while your hens continue laying eggs for you to eat
• Get more meat out of your extra roosters

I’m not so sure I could do minor surgery on an awake chicken, but hey, if it survived or died I could get over my squeamishness in favor of a heartier meal.

What Chickens Can Be Used as a Capon?

Chickens come in many different breeds, each with their own unique set of characteristics. While any breed can technically be used as a capon, the traditional choices are Orpingtons, Rocks, and other dual-purpose breeds. These breeds are typically larger and have more meat on their bones than other types of chickens.

Caponizing is a process of castration that involves removing the testicles from the chicken. This makes the chicken less aggressive and more docile, and also causes it to put on weight.

As a result, caponized chickens tend to be larger and more flavorful than their non-caponized counterparts.

Silkies are a breed of chicken that is known for its black skin and bones. Interestingly, the chemical that gives Silkies their black color also contains more vitamins and antioxidants than any other breed of chicken.

For this reason, caponized Silkies are becoming increasingly popular on the health market. If you have Bantam chickens, capping them will also plump them up a bit.

Regardless of which breed you choose, caponizing is a great way to improve the flavor and size of your chicken.

How to Make a Capon

The process of castration involves removing the testicles of the bird, which prevents it from developing testosterone and other hormones. This lack of hormones results in a capon that is less aggressive and has more tender meat. Here’s how to do it.

1. Start With the Right Tools

First, you’ll need to gather the right tools. A bright light will be necessary to help you see the rooster’s anatomy, and a sharp knife will make the surgery quick and clean.

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You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with the process. The best way to do this is to read an educational resource like Caponizing by Loyl Stromberg. This book will walk you through every step of the caponization process, ensuring that you have all the information you need to perform the surgery successfully.

With the right tools and knowledge in hand, you’ll be able to caponize a rooster with ease.

2. Withhold Feed for 36 Hours and Water for 24 Hours

Withhold food from the bird for 36 hours. This will help to reduce the size of its organs. You should also withhold water for 24 hours, which will reduce organ size further and make the caponization process easier.

While the process may seem harsh, it is a quick and humane way to ensure that your rooster produces succulent meat.

3. Immobilize the Bird

To caponize a rooster, the first step is to immobilize the bird. There are several ways to do this, but the most common is to use strings and weights to attach the bird to a table, or to use taut line hitches.

4. Pull Skin Under Wing Toward Tail Feathers

To caponize a rooster, you’ll need to clean the area around the incision with an antiseptic like rubbing alcohol. Next, use your fingers to pull the skin underneath the wing towards the tail feathers. This will create an opening in the body cavity skin.

5. Make the Cut

To caponize a rooster, you will need to make a cut between the ribs closest to the hip. This can be done with a sharp knife, and you will need to be careful not to damage any organs. Once the cut is made, have a cotton ball ready to collect any blood that may be released.

6. Insert Forceps to Locate Testicles

Next, forceps are inserted to locate the testicles. Once found, they are carefully removed. These are bean-like glands.

Look for the bean like gland and see if you can find the other gland deeper down, be careful not to nick an artery

7. Remove the Glands With the Forceps

Remove the testicles/glands with the forceps, being careful not to nick an artery.

8. Release the Skin

Finally, release the skin and make sure that the opening and body cavity skin don’t line up. Doing this will eliminate the need for stitches. As a result, your rooster will be unable to mate and will grow significantly larger than an un-caponized rooster.

9. Apply Iodine or Blu Kote to Reduce Infection Risk

After the testes have been removed, the incision should be sealed with Iodine or Blu Kote to reduce the risk of infection.

10. Consider Using Medication if Needed

While caponization does not require anesthesia, you may want to consider using medication to help reduce the rooster’s stress levels. Talk to your vet about options.

11. Check One Week Later for Healing

If you’re considering caponizing a rooster, it’s important to know that the procedure requires some care and attention afterwards. The incision site must be kept clean and dry to prevent infection, and the rooster should be monitored for any signs of discomfort or distress. With proper care, most roosters recover from the procedure without any problems and go on to live happy, healthy lives.

How to Cook Capon

Capon is a type of chicken that is prized for its large size and juicy, tender flesh. While it can be roasted or grilled, one of the best ways to cook a capon is to pot-roast it. This method ensures that the meat stays moist and succulent, and it also allows the skin to become crisp and golden brown.

Here is a step-by-step guide to pot-roasting a capon and an easy recipe for you to follow:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius).
2. Season the capon all over with salt and pepper.
3. Place the bird in a roasting pan or Dutch oven, breast side up.
4. Add any aromatics (such as herbs or garlic) to the pan.
5. Cover the pan tightly with foil or a lid.
6. Roast for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the meat is cooked through. Check the breast and thigh meat with a thermometer to make sure it’s at least 180 degrees throughout.
7. Remove the foil or lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow the skin to brown. I recommend saving the pan juices to make a thick gravy!
8. Let the capon rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving. Enjoy!

What Does Capon Taste Like?

Capon tastes like a cross between chicken and turkey. It is more tender than chicken and has a milder flavor. The flesh is also higher in fat, which makes it juicier and more flavorful.

Capon is usually roasted or braised, and the skin is often removed before cooking to prevent it from becoming tough.

While the flavor of capon is similar to chicken, it is generally considered to be a more delicate and nuanced flavor. As such, it is often used in gourmet dishes or served at special occasions.

If you are looking for a bird that has more flavor than chicken but is not as intense as turkey, then capon may be the right choice for you.

Final Thoughts

So, if you’re looking to keep your flock healthy and productive, consider caponizing your roosters. Not only will it make them more docile and easier to handle, but it’ll also improve the flavor and texture of the meat.

What do you think? Is the idea of raising capons cruel, or cool?

updated 08/18/2022 by Rebekah Pierce