THE ORGANIZING AND CONTROLLING OF MALE BIRDS

The organizing and controlling of the principles and practices which are involved in the raising of the pullets also apply generally to the male stock. The sexual development of cockerels is earlier than that of pullets and, unless they are separated pen or segment, will worry the pullets to a degree that will seriously interfere with their development.

Care of breeding males

All pedigree cockerels and those that are strong, healthy, and free from defects should be separated from each other, and reared separately for breeding purposes according to the management practices which is recommended for rearing of pullets.

Sexing day-old chicks

Sexing of day-old chicks is a very specialized work and should be left to the experts’ only optimum result. Anyhow, even if such facilities are not available, the chicks should be sexed as early as possible after birth, in order not to waste money on feeding of unwanted male chicks which can easily be disposed off or reared separately.

Upgrading 'desi' stock

It would be a complete waste of excellent breeding material if all the surplus cockerels have to be disposed off for the table purpose. At present a more useful purpose will be served by utilizing them for upgrading the indigenous birds. Combined with the elimination of desi cockerels, large scale distribution of improved cockerels will contribute materially to the impoverishment of the laying quantities of the desi birds. Any scheme envisaging systematic work in this direction would prove highly useful.

Exchange of cockerels

In the exchange of cockerel, It is possible that unless the improved cockerels are given away free of cost, the poor farmers may not generally agree to have them. But there can be little hesitation on their part in exchanging their indigenous cockerels with improved ones, either on bird-for bird or weight for weight basis. Such an arrangement should be encouraged. The desi cockerels get in exchange for the improved ones can be disposed off for table purpose by auctioning them locally without incurring any expenditure for their upkeep or transport.

Capons

A capon is a castrated cockerel and bears the same relation to a rooster as a bullock does to a bull. Another way of disposing of the surplus males not required either for breeding or for upgrading. The purposes, is by converting them into capons first and then selling them for table. A capon loses it masculine appearance becomes of sluggish and gains weight rapidly. The growth of the comb and wattle is arrested. Its flesh becomes more palatable and savory after 6 months old.