chong

You are correct. I understand that it generally refers to chickens. But the word itself means "castration, as in, of the male fowl." Strictly speaking, the definition implies that it does NOT ONLY apply to male fowls, just that it is a good example. I just didn't want to use the word castration, that's all. The word castration, to me, suggests some form of punishment. And sounds somewhat graphic. While "caponizing" is more genteel, in the sense that it is a process that is practiced in the agricultural industry.

I could have used the word "barrowed", but that is even more unfamiliar to the general public. A "hog" in England is a castrated boar. But here, it generally refers to any member of the swine family so I couldn't use it. In Philippine vernacular, "capón" is more commonly used for castration. And even Spanish speaking people there use the word "caponado" more so than "castratado" because it is a more familiar term.