A capon refers to a chicken of the male gender (rooster) that is castrated in its youth in order to enhance the flavour, texture and the taste. A capon can refer to the flesh of the chicken that has been castrated, as well as the chicken itself.

The castration of a rooster generally takes place when the chicken is aged from six to twenty weeks old.

This practice is beneficial as a male that is rendered non aggressive due to the castration, can act like a mother for chicks. Capon meat is tender and regarded as much better in quality than ordinary butchered chicken.