Best way to hold bird while checking for parasites?

[sojeo]

This might be a silly question, but I am struggling at holding my bigger girls while checking them over. They do not like to be held at all, they are super friendly, just don't try touching them! They follow me around all the time so they are easy to catch, just the act of holding them is the problem!

Is it easier to sit down and pin the bird with one arm while looking? How do you look under the wing without losing your grip? They used to love being held when they were small, but now that they are grown they are so flighty! I miss being able to cuddle them too

 

[kcfuerst]

I hold my birds in my arms like a normal pet, and then once they are comfortable I turn the over on their back with their belly up. After a few strokes on their tummies, they relax and let me do anything I want with them, check feet, bums, etc.

 

[sojeo]

I have one rooster that I hold everday, he actually runs up to meet me and jumps up on me if I don't pick him up. I check him all the time, but the other ones are sooo ornery (and strong!)

I guess I should try holding the others more often and they will just get used to it. I've also figured out that you should wear long sleeves and high necks, my birds have given me a couple nasty scratches, deep enough to bleed and leave scars.

My mother has to give her terrier a gravol in order to get him groomed, lol, is there such thing for chickens? Just kidding!