How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Re: Animal Control Job OT

As someone who caught dozens of snappers each year as a kid (I sold them to a local restaurant for turtle soup) I can tell you how to handle one. You get behind the turtle and pick it up by its tail and carry it beside you with its belly side toward your leg. A good pair of leather gloves helps in gripping the tail as it usually has green moss/algae growing on the top side and they often have leaches clinging to their soft parts around their leg openings. They can extend their head/neck out and up but the neck does not bend down very far so with their belly toward you they can't reach out and bite you (and they will bite given the chance). Don't get in the way of their legs as they are very powerful and have nasty claws.

Mark

----- Original Message -----

From: toomanyfurs

To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 5:33 PM

Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Re: Animal Control Job OT

:
>
> Di, I know why that guy didn't want to pick up the turtle. We have
> snappers here, and they are some right nasty guys. I didn't know what
> it was when I first moved in (besides it was obviously a turtle), and
> tried to pick one up to put it on the other side of the street, where
> it was going. That sucker went for me. Well, Being soft- head--I mean,
> hearted--I got a towel and threw it over him, then carried him across
> and released him.
>

Both Snappers and soft-shells have necks long enough that they can reach back and "get" an unsuspecting rescuer who isn't careful. Snappers I move with a Big Stick. Put the stick within striking distance, and when s/he latches on, just use it to carry them where you wish. They usually don't let go once they've got a grip :)

Margo