Capon

A capon (from Latin: cāpō, genitive cāpōnis) is a male chicken that has been castrated or neutered, either physically or chemically, to improve the quality of its flesh for food, and, in some countries like Spain, fattened by forced feeding.

"[2]: 309 In the early 20th century, France was internationally renowned for maintaining a strong caponisation tradition with widespread and established industries throughout the country.

[1] William Shakespeare mentioned capon in the famous "All the world's a stage" monologue from his play As You Like It (written c.1600).

The monologue describes the fifth stage as: "The Justice, In fair round belly, with a good capon lin'd".

Capons produced under these conditions will taste very similar to conventional chicken meat, making their production unnecessary.

In the UK physical caponisation was made illegal in 1982 via The Welfare of Livestock (Prohibited Operations) Regulations 1982.

This was reinforced in 2007 by The Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007 which made castration of all domesticated birds illegal.

Live capons in Hainan , China, displaying characteristic small head, comb and wattle
David Rijckaert II , Still life with a lemon and capon
An example of chicken castration in Southeast Asia. The caponisation is usually performed by veterinary personnel and should follow some general guidelines.
Capons in a French market