My beautiful daughter holding her favorite chicken, Betty the Silkie. Betty will run right up to her and my daughter loves to hug her.
I adore chickens and kids together. It's so natural.
One suggestion however. Adults and children both need to know that a laying hen should not be held at her reproductive sides where eggs are formed/travel through the oviduct. Hens/chickens should be scooped from their front between their legs, held against our body for security with the other hand firnly but gently holding down the wings from the top. No hold should be placed on their back sides.
It's difficult with toddlers to learn the proper hold since their arms are so small. In your photo the toddler is holding the backsides of her Silkie. If the Silkie spooks the natural surprise reaction for adults/children are to tighten their hold on the chicken and if the hold is on the hen's sides can create an issue in the reproductive area. Your daughter obviously loves her little Silkie so a lesson in how to hold a hen safely can be practiced and reinforced. After some reinforced lessons your daughter will probably start instructing others if they don't hold "her" Silkie the right way!
