When they were chicks I placed them under a broody or some were hatched under a broody and they got their chicken nurturing in that way. I'm with the previous poster who stated she respected their space and dislike for handling. When they were on the roosts and I had to work with them, I'd do it as quickly and calmly as possible and then replace them to the roosts...and I might sneak in a soft pet along their backs afterwards. Yes, I think they are soft, beautiful and smell lovely...I'm not completely hardened to that fact. But....
I wonder how we would like it if a giant constantly grabbed us from our simple lives and forced their attentions upon us, much to our dismay? I always wanted my chickens to have as natural a life as they possibly could have on one acre of captivity, so handling and petting them wasn't high on the agenda.
I know that wild birds aren't supposed to be handled with the bare hand as it upsets the balance of oils on their feathers and can affect their flight or waterproofing during wet weather. Though my birds were domestic, they still were outside in all weathers, so this practice made sense to me.
I know it seems like one is compassionate and affectionate with their animals if they are constantly petting or coddling them but there is another group of folks who feel that chickens would come to us naturally, sort of like a dog, if they required this level of handling from us. If this was a natural part of their instinctive behavior, then I would provide for their nurturing needs. Until then I respect their space, their sheer chickeness and their right to not be handled unless they indicate they wish that level of intimacy.