I pick her up, put her feet in one palm of my hand and hold her against me with my arm. I start with a finger and stroke her head and between her wings. She closes her eyes and even lets her head droop down. Sometimes I move her away from my body so she can see she’s not trapped.
I really wanted an affectionate chicken that liked the company of people, but I got my chicks from Atwood’s and they couldn’t tell me the breeds and the bin marked pullets were the only ones that were sexed. So I got two of each color. I plan on getting just two chicks soon so I can socially see them better and finding a specific breed.
Anyway, I don’t want my chickies to be unhappy. I included a pic of her being held, although she’s not as relaxed as she seems to get because I pulled out my phone and it got her more alert.
They are all six SUPER friendly and love to follow me around! And most of them are pretty tolerant of being petted and occasionally picked up (I don't pick most of them up, because even though they'll let me, I know they aren't fans of being held, unless THEY want to jump into my lap on their own rare terms 
). My Wyandotte, Lacey, was freakin' crazy wild as a young'un! There was a time I could barely even get somewhat close to her. But now?, she's super sweet and calm and is great at holding still to let me stroke her soft back. Mine are still young, but old enough where most of them are laying eggs now, and shortly before they lay their first egg, it seems, most of them should dramatically mellow out, much like mine did. It's just when they're younger that a lot of them are skittish even if socialized frequently, in my own experience. 
