Need to pick up a chicken to fasten an id band

Hi, I am so new to taking care of chickens I don't know how to pick up a chicken. Throughout the few days that I've had chickens I haven't needed to pick them up until now.
I have decided to put cable ties around the chickens leg instead of an id band. I know how to put the cable ties around the chickens leg and how tight it should be but I don't know how to pick up the chicken.
In what position should I hold the chicken? How should I pick the chicken up? What can I do if the chicken doesn't want to be picked up?
thanks in advanced
-chick2chicken

Wait until they have gone to bed for the night. Then just pluck them off the roost, put the tie on, and put them back.

It helps to have a helper until you get used to handling them.

I agree to wait until they go to bed. When they're on the roost, they're sleeping and easy pickings, so to speak . Pick them up with both hands, one on each side of the body. they may squawk and fight some, but holding firmly there will keep them from flapping. I've never had a hen peck me when doing this, but some are sure noisy! The calm down in a minute or so, held firmly but gently--remember they have to breathe. If you have a helper, they can pull one leg out and put the tie on. If you're on your own, tuck the bird under one arm, and use your other hand to pull the leg out. It takes a bit of maneuvering to hold the leg and apply the tie, but you'll figure it out.

Thanks!
I think I might do it tonight

I do this solo, off the roost at night wearing a headlight, I have a chair in the coop shed.
I have a walk in coop with roosts at waist level which makes everything all easier.

Grab bird with both hands holding the wings down to reduce it's struggling.
If it can't move it's wings it will submit much faster to being handled.
Being calm yourself and talking softly to keep you both mellow.

I put the bird on my lap on it's back, kind of cradled between my almost closed thighs, it's head towards my knees.
I wear an apron which kind of forms a sling and keep any poops off my clothes.
Then I can hold the bird down with my left arm and hold it's leg in my left hand while my (dominant) right hand handles the cutters.
Sometimes a drape a small towel over the birds head to keep it calmer.

It can be tricky until you get the hang of it, then both you and the birds will become more comfortable.


As to how tight, just tight enough not to slip off the foot, but as loose as possible so as bird grows tie doesn't get too tight too soon.

Here's some more tips and pics:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/leg-banding-with-zipties

I just heard the Chicken into the Coop and catch it...It takes little effort and done in minutes...


Cheer!