In the previous Halacha we have explained some fundamental points regarding the forbidden work of trapping on Shabbat which entails trapping animals on Shabbat, for instance, chasing a bird into a cage on Shabbat.
If one has chickens or ducks in his possession [for such a long time that the fowl wander around his courtyard during the daytime and after a while return to their cages or coops on their own], these fowl are not considered like other birds and one may chase them into their cage on Shabbat. One may likewise close the door of the cage behind them so that they do not escape.
Similarly, if the chickens go out to the courtyard and one wishes to close the gate to the yard so that the chickens do not leave the yard and get into danger, one may do so on Shabbat and this does not pose the prohibition of trapping. Although there are those who rule stringently on this matter, the Halacha nevertheless follows Maran HaShulchan Aruch who rules leniently in accordance with the opinion of many Rishonim including the Rashba. Indeed, the Maharashdam writes about the Rashba: “My rabbi, Mahari Taitzak, would many times see an opinion of the Rashba and would weight it and consider it against the majority opinion among the Poskim.” (See Chazon Ovadia-Shabbat, Part 5, page 101)
Nevertheless, one may not be lenient though to pick up the chickens with one’s hands on Shabbat because of the prohibition of Muktzeh, for all animals are considered Muktzeh and may not be moved on Shabbat. It is only permissible to chase or push the chickens from behind (even with one’s hands) so that it goes on its own and enters the cage.
Ashkenazim, however, customarily rule in accordance with the Rama who rules stringently on this matter and prohibits trapping even chickens and ducks one has in his possession.
In the next Halacha we shall discuss the laws of moving chickens and other birds by hand on Shabbat.
