The best time to pick up and examine birds is at night, when they are roosting, using a small flashlight or head lamp.
Chickens are prey animals, and being held isn't comfortable for many of them. Some will be fine with being picked up any time, if you spend the time sitting around offering treats, and that's great, but many will never feel that way about it.
If there's a real need, you can have a big long handled fish net, or a catch stick for daytime capture of the shy birds. Otherwise, do things at night when they are on their roosts.
I think you can wait and watch these cockerels a bit longer, before picking one to keep.
Mary
Chickens are prey animals, and being held isn't comfortable for many of them. Some will be fine with being picked up any time, if you spend the time sitting around offering treats, and that's great, but many will never feel that way about it.
If there's a real need, you can have a big long handled fish net, or a catch stick for daytime capture of the shy birds. Otherwise, do things at night when they are on their roosts.
I think you can wait and watch these cockerels a bit longer, before picking one to keep.
Mary