Is this an okay way to pick-up/hold chicks?

[My Three Chicks]

I'm raising 3 baby chicks. They are now 2.5 weeks. I just want to be sure that it's ok for them to be picked up this way (see pics). They run away screaming when I reach in the brooder (but getting better!). They usually stop screaming after a couple of seconds once they are in my 'grip'. Is this an uncomfortable position for them or are they ok?
Then I usually cuddle them in my hands with their feet supported from underneath.

 

[SourRoses]

I'm no expert chick handler. I have handled a lot, but don't feel like I'm getting it right either, because the only way that's practical in most circumstances is similar to your pictures.
Chickens just hate being swooped on from above, it feels like an aerial predator attack. Especially during the fearful stage (2-6 weeks).
I wish I always had time to let them make the decision to come up on my hand, but it's just not practical.
I try to get my other hand under their feet as quickly as possible, depending on what I'm grabbing them out of. Having hold with their toes always makes them happier.
Also, I try to make my hand into more of a loose cage than a squeeze grip - fingers on either side and 1 finger in front of the chest. But sometimes you just have to grab them. Your second picture looks like a tight squeeze under the red ones wing, but that could just be the picture.
Especially with really young chicks, I try to give them a moment to settle with their feet still on the brooder floor after getting my hand around them but before lifting them up.

Hopefully some more keepers will chime in with what they do.

 

[Callender Girl]

Some good advice from @SourRoses!

Every time I get new chicks, I am determined to "make" them enjoy being held. This time, I've actually been making progress, and here's how.

Instead of brooding them in a solid-walled tote, I'm using a clear plastic one. From the day I brought them home, I've been getting down at their level, along side the tote and letting them hear my voice. I say, "chick, chick" each time I put in fresh feed.

Instead of reaching down into the tote to pick them up -- because as prey animals, they see something descending toward them as a threat -- I just slowly lay my hand down beside the feeder, palm up. Chicks love to peck at shiny objects, including my rings, so they wander onto my hand of their own accord.

Once they are used to walking across my hand, it's much easier to slowly lift them up, using the other hand cupped loosely over them so they don't do a swan dive from a foot or so off the floor. My two oldest chicks, now 10 days old, seem content to be held and walk around on my lap, pecking at my clothes.

Don't take it personally when they scream. Even my most standoffish youngsters eventually grew up to be chickens that LOVE me -- when I'm feeding them!

 

[igorsMistress]

Chicks are small and go berserk so I cup them in my hands or hold them as you are in the pic. However, a clear brooder so they can see you and not besurprised/scared by you appearing and reaching from above is a huge help as @Callender Girl mentions. Whenever I brood new chicks in the house I just reach in and leave my hand in there, not moving it, and eventually they come check it out and aren’t so terrified. I let them climb on it, peck it, nibble my ring, etc and when they realize I’m not going to hurt them eventually they look forward to my visits and are flying onto my shoulders/head. From there it’s my hand under their belly with their legs between fingers. They feel safer this way and struggle far less.

 

[My Three Chicks]

Some good advice from @SourRoses!

Every time I get new chicks, I am determined to "make" them enjoy being held. This time, I've actually been making progress, and here's how.

Instead of brooding them in a solid-walled tote, I'm using a clear plastic one. From the day I brought them home, I've been getting down at their level, along side the tote and letting them hear my voice. I say, "chick, chick" each time I put in fresh feed.

Instead of reaching down into the tote to pick them up -- because as prey animals, they see something descending toward them as a threat -- I just slowly lay my hand down beside the feeder, palm up. Chicks love to peck at shiny objects, including my rings, so they wander onto my hand of their own accord.

Once they are used to walking across my hand, it's much easier to slowly lift them up, using the other hand cupped loosely over them so they don't do a swan dive from a foot or so off the floor. My two oldest chicks, now 10 days old, seem content to be held and walk around on my lap, pecking at my clothes.

Don't take it personally when they scream. Even my most standoffish youngsters eventually grew up to be chickens that LOVE me -- when I'm feeding them!

Ah the clear sided brooder is a great idea. I'll think of that next time!
They are starting to let me slide my hand in front of them slowly to scoop up their feet. It's a work in progress.

When I get them out to play around in the room they definitely warm up...napping on me, eating from my hand, letting me pet then.

 

[My Three Chicks]

Chicks are small and go berserk so I cup them in my hands or hold them as you are in the pic. However, a clear brooder so they can see you and not besurprised/scared by you appearing and reaching from above is a huge help as @Callender Girl mentions. Whenever I brood new chicks in the house I just reach in and leave my hand in there, not moving it, and eventually they come check it out and aren’t so terrified. I let them climb on it, peck it, nibble my ring, etc and when they realize I’m not going to hurt them eventually they look forward to my visits and are flying onto my shoulders/head. From there it’s my hand under their belly with their legs between fingers. They feel safer this way and struggle far less.

Oh my gosh yes one of them likes to rest in my bouffant!
Once she poops in my hair which I'm sure is inevitable, I'll probably make her stop. But it's very cute right now!

 

[igorsMistress]

Oh my gosh yes one of them likes to rest in my bouffant!
Once she poops in my hair which I'm sure is inevitable, I'll probably make her stop. But it's very cute right now!

Yup, once they poop in your hair it’s over as far as I’m concerned I had an EE that loves to be on my shoulder and under my hair all the time. Once they’re bigger their poops are too, and grosser lol.