lisahaschickens,
Oh, I agree, I reread my post and it did look like I was saying holding wasn't needed. I do hold them, whether they like it or not, every single day. What I was saying was that they have gotten less handshy the more I've handfed them too.
But, you know what, I'm going to...
When I go see my chicks, the biggest one and the smallest one rush my hand. The bigger one wants an 'elevator ride' and gets visibly pleased when I lift her up in the air. She's also trying to climb my arm to get to my face. She's a black australorp and the boldest of the bunch. The other 5...