capon
A capon , also Kapphahn or capon , is around the age of twelve weeks castrated and fattened rooster . Its meat is considered to be particularly mild, is white and fatty and is therefore valued by gourmets .
During the operation, the real capon will also have its comb and beard flaps cut off. The operation is carried out by a veterinarian or trained person as it requires a thorough knowledge of the poultry anatomy.
Changes in appearance and behavior
On the face, on the remnants of the comb and on the lobes, its color fades, the body elongates, the feathers on the neck collar, on the back, on the loins and on the tail become longer and more complete than in the normal rooster. The feathers on the back and collar hang down tight and bushy, the tail is carried in a stretched manner, almost horizontally. A capon crows less often than an uncastrated rooster. His voice sounds hoarse, trembling , almost glassy.
A sex drive is no longer detectable in capons. They are at the bottom of the pecking order , avoid ranking fights with full-grown roosters and often also flee from belligerent hens.
Chicks that are hatched in artificial brood and that are pushed under them when they are just a few days old are carefully and lovingly led by a capon and usually longer than a hen, which is why capons are sometimes used as “chick carers” in poultry farming .
Use in the kitchen
Capons are only available in stores from the beginning to the end of December, so a capon is a classic Christmas roast. In Germany no more than 1500 capons are bought annually. Most of the capons offered in specialist shops come from France . The Chapons de Bresse are famous for their excellent meat quality and strong taste .
Capon interest
Earlier capons were a so-called Capon (s) interest , a common part of the tithe , the payment in addition to compulsory labor and money and in kind included. Capons were in Deputatlohn of officials included.
criticism
From animal rights activists castration is of taps for greater enjoyment than animal cruelty considered and rejected.
Web links
proof
- ^ Theodor Sperl: Chicken breeding for everyone. Practical manual . 6., verb. Edition. Oertl & Spoerer, Reutlingen 1999, ISBN 3-88627-226-5 .
- ↑ Robert Lücke: Why castrated roosters guarantee great pleasure. In: The world . Axel Springer SE , December 20, 2006, accessed April 30, 2019 .