He was a very brave guy. I’d never pick up a feral kitten without serious gloves.
I have a feral cat I’ve been feeding for a year or two. I would never ever dare to pick her up. Only pet her tail and hind quarters. She stopped hissing six months ago and I’ve heard her purr a couple of times.
p.s. Friends of Feral Felines fixed her and gave her a long term rabies shot.
Oven mitts are your friends :-)