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Sunday January 16, 2011

Castrated rooster to rule the dinner table this New Year

IPOH: Come Year of the Rabbit, the castrated rooster will rule the dinner table of families who do not mind splurging almost RM50 per kg for it.

“The capon (yim kai in Cantonese) is sought after by those who relish its firm flesh,” said part-time chicken farmer Chong Kit Ling, 53. “It also tastes better if it is steamed.”

Chong, who rears the castrated roosters for special celebrations such as Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, said the fowls cost about RM40 to RM50 per kg depending on the demand.



No fowl play: Chong weighing a castrated rooster which tipped at 5kg on the scale Saturday.

“Some families also want them as prayer offerings.”

Chong said the roosters could grow up to 6kg unlike the others, which were about 3kg.

At present, Chong is rearing 12 castrated roosters which have all been booked.

”The roosters are castrated when they are about two or three months old.

Then it is best to keep them for at least 100 days before slaughtering them,” he said.