Can You Neuter A Rooster? And If So, Would It Make A Difference?

[TJ]

I know, I know, ya'll can stop laughing now...

Anyway, I have two roosters that won't get along but I don't want to have to get rid of one of them...Can you have a rooster neutered? If a vet can do this would it take away the rooster's desire to fight?

I know I'm grasping at straws here and I currently have the one rooster listed on here and on craigslist.com but I really don't want to have to give him up. And no, my DH won't build me a separate quarters for a roo' and a couple of hens... My husband is nice but he isn't THAT nice!

I know this is a dumb question but I had to ask...

Thank you!
TJ

 

[drafthorse39]

Yup it's called a "capon" I don't know much about it except people do it to meat chickens but i know someone will come by and tell ya

 

[ksacres]

It's a really disgusting process, and if you really like him, either keep him intact, or find him a home that can use him. They have to go in through the side and pull out the testes, uck!

 

[silkiechicken]

Do a search on caponizing roosters and you will find lots of opinions. I personally do not condone it as you have to go through the ribs traditionally.... Look it up and it probably wont change much and you'll just have one rooish hen like animal walking around.

 

[ksacres]

Actually, wait, there's a way you can chemically caponize them as well, it's an implant, I used to be much more up to date on this stuff! Usually put under the skin-it's like a hormone implant.

 

[TJ]

Thank you all for responding... I've been doing some reading and researching on the internet and I think I will talk to my vet in the morning and see what he thinks about it. I'm assuming if it is done thru a vet that there will be pre & post surgery pain medication given to the roo' first? Someone please tell me, "yes"?... According to a few sites they do say that caponizing takes away their aggression towards the other roo's and hens.

I'll keep you posted. I can't believe that I'm asking this and even considering the idea... I do believe the older I get the crazier I become!

Thanks again!

TJ

 

[okiechick57]

TJ. keep us posted, your just asking the same questions that countless of us have thought of no doubt ! I would love to own more than one rooster

 

[92caddy]

To make a capon, it should be done when he is 4 to 6 weeks old, I cant remember right now. I used to do it when I was in high school. I went to Penn State U to learn how do, but I havent done it for years. I still have the tools. To me its not hard to do, but you do need another person to hold him while its done. Thanks..........ed

 

[SpottedCrow]

Hi ed and welcome to the other BYC...
I looked into having Jerry caponized and noone around me would do it...not even the vet.
Even if you do find someone to do it, you're more likely to loose your boy on the table when they yank a kidney rather than a testes...
They haven't done chemical castrations for years...
I unfortunately looked at all the ways to keep my baby boy.

 

[FutureChickenMan]

if you want a vet to do it, you'll probaby have to find one that specializes in birds/small animals. I've read instructions on how to do it, mcmurry sells the surgical kit to do it but I would certainly not try it on a favorite bird first. I'd practice on a couple of birds that I'd butcher to get the hang of it. (kill the bird first then do the surgery just incase you slip) Once you get good at it, then go after the roo you want to keep.

de-spurring them would probably help a little too. the potato method would probably work best for you.