I think if you want sweet and cuddly and calm, d'uccles are it! From my limited experience, they are calm snuggly chicks, and don't mind being petted and carried as adults either! Of course, I do pet them every day. Their feet feathers do get dirty, though. My bantam cochins started snuggly, but now that they are older aren't as snuggly, and my japanese used to like to perch on me, but he doesn't like being petted anymore. I had a sebright that was gorgeous, but not into being a 'pet' so I sold her. I don't keep the chickens that don't like being petted. I did have a pair of english game bantams who were very sweet and the pullet loved being held- had to rehome them d/t them being allergic to pine shavings in my coop. The rooster didn't mind being petted, but would rather run around and pick fights with my other chickens. (Napoleon syndrome- I swear). But my d'uccle roosters don't fight each other, and don't get 'macho'. I do have a japanese cochin cross chick I hatched who is a boy, and turning out to be calm, sweet, and cuddly. But time spent also makes a difference in whatever bantam you have if you get them young. I did own 2 male silkie's, one didn't mind being petted and picked up, and the other was NOT enjoying it when I'd pick him up and pet him. I did buy a bantam barred rock, but she was from a sick flock, and I had to take her to the state for testing an euthanasia. Broke my heart because she was very sweet,curious, and barely knew me.
