It is the rendering unserviceable the testicles of a male animal.

Importance

To control breeding diseases.

To control breeding.

For faster growth rates.

Increase quality of meat by removing unpleasant smell especially in goats.

Methods Used: Closed/bloodless method

• involves use of burdizzo or rubber ring and ela

• Animals do not bleed but may not be 100% effecti

Open method

• A surgical method used for castrating cocks, piglets and rabbits whose testes are internal.

• Also used for lambs, kids and calves.

• Animals bleed a lot.

• However, it is 100% effective.

• It is not recommended for mature adults.

Caponisation

• It is the practice of making male birds lose their male characteristics by use of hormones.

• Hormones used include stilboestrol which is injected into the birds when they are one day old and female hormones implanted beneath the skin at the neck.

• Birds which have lost their male characteristics in this way are referred to as capons.