7 week old chicks - should I be force-handling them?

[SueAndHerZoo]

Hard to believe they are only 7-8 weeks old - they look like full grown chickens already! They've been living outdoors in their coop and run for about 3 weeks now and have acclimated well. I'm out there at least 4 times a day to feed, water, check, socialize, etc. and they now come running to me when I enter (why not, I'm the lady with the treats!) But when I try to hold one, they want no part of it. When they were tiny I would hold each one to my chest for a minute or two making soothing sounds but now they fight and flap and want no part of being that close.

My question is do I start forcing them to let me handle them or do I wait until they are older and start coming to me on their own? They come and eat out of my hand but none of them wants to stay around once the treats are gone. I know I need to be checking them for health issues but can't do that until they let me handle them.

I guess what's prompting this question now is that for the past few days I feel like I have been getting chewed up by bugs each time I'm outdoors. I assumed it was mosquitoes and just general insects since we're still dealing with a horrendous heat/humidity wave but today I had to wonder if I'm getting these bites from being in the chicken area. If that's the case I need to be able to closely examine each one in the vent, head, neck area but that requires me holding/restraining them. Am I going to alienate them forever if I start forcing it or do I do it for their own good?

To be honest, the thought of having bugs on them and eventually on me is totally freaking me out. The fear of infesting my house (which contains lots of other rescue pets) with mites or lice is terrifying enough to think maybe getting chickens was not a great idea. I've read so many horror stories and I realize it's a common problem, but I'm not sure I'm cut out for dealing with lice and mites. Anyway, the first order of business is finding out if I have them, right?

Their run gets visited each day and night by some rats (in the process of eliminating those) and there are squirrels in their run all day long - the chickens have pretty much accepted them now but I'm guessing they could be bringing parasites.

Sorry this is so long - I guess my original question was do I forcefully handle these chickens or give it time until they warm up to me more?
Sue

 

[FrostRanger]

It's normal for pullets go through a skittish phase. Let them be and they'll come out of it eventually. If you need to check for mites, get a flashlight and do it while they're roosting. Chickens are trivial to catch while roosting and they won't struggle nearly as much. You can also put doublesided tape underneath their roosts. It's worth doing a health check regardless, but i'm thinking you're getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. Idk about where you are, but here mosquitoes are horrible. If you do happen to find anything, permethin spray - make sure to keep it away from cats though - will take care of the problem

 

[SueAndHerZoo]

I love the double-sided tape idea. I may even still have some of those yellow sticky houseplant stickies that knats get stuck on. I do want to handle them but don't want to force it so am glad to hear they may grow out of this on their own. The bites on my legs and arms are smaller than typical mosquito bites, but I shouldn't jump to the conclusion that it's mites, either. They are visible to the naked eye, right?
Sue

 

[FrostRanger]

Yes, they are although they can be hard to spot. Check underneath their wings and around their vent - you'll have to be fast though as if there are mites or lice they'll scatter quickly. My birds went through a skittish phase and they're coming out of it just fine. It's totally normal for them to be skittish during their adolescent phase. They still love you, they just don't want to be handled rn