Chicken finds it annoying when i try to pick her up!!

[Cinnaminute]

I spent time handling my chickens from day 1. As they've grown up, not all of them want to be handled anymore. I have a few that seem to adore me, gather around me, and perch on me. Those are usually very willing to let me pick them up. I taught them to "step up" by bumping my hand against the back of their feet. They'll then step back onto my hand/arm. A few prefer stepping forward. Others don't want me to bother them at all. I'm lucky they let me remove them from the roost when doing my checks on them. And sadly, after having to drain my hen with ascites twice, she no longer likes being around me. She used to seek me out. Now she just gives me a passing greeting when she sees me.

I do have a few that were very stubborn about being handling once they grew up. I had to use what I call the "shameful chicken grab" which is where I grab them around the upper body, holding the wings down. They let me and stay still, except for one hen who will panic so no more of that.

All in all, I say just work with them from when they're young and you're bound to find at least one that may be open to handling. Spending a lot of time with them can also help. I adopted a hen who I had in quarantine for a month. She mostly sat on a perch by the couch. She ended up bonding a lot with me, I was her only friend. She ended up rejected by my flock so she was an indoor/outdoor chicken who free ranged by day and slept in her indoor cage at night. Sweet bird, came to her name, and would get comfy on my lap. Miss her so much.

 

[Anpaohotonnawin]

Some are naturally more friendly than others. I have a couple that will climb on me or jump on my back when I'm bent over and walk up to my shoulder.

I try to handle mine daily when they are young so they get used to it.

I've noticed they don't like to be picked up from above and behind with hands over wings. Too predator like. But some will tolerate being scooped up from underneath from the front so they know it's me.
Also, once I have them in my arms they are not happy until I put an hand or arm under their feet.

I had one that spent a lot of time in the basement cage for various reasons. She didn't want to be carried up the stairs but if you put your open palms in the door of the cage she would step out and stand on my hands. Then as we would go up the stairs she woudl gently flap her wings. I guess in her mind if she was going upwards then flying of some sort had to be involved.

I second this. Although I don't own any chickens yet, I read a lot about them. It helps if they were handled when young or imprinted on you, but in addition to preferring being scooped from front and below, they also don't seem to like it if approached directly head on, which they interpret as confrontational. Try crouching low and sidling to their side. Make a little eye contact and make calming chicken sounds. Before that, try spending time just sitting quietly with them nearby, which will help a little with acclimating them to your presence. Like others said, then try associating your presence with something positive, like feeding them food from your hands.

 

[Borders3]

Hmmm against what everyone is saying two of my original eight ranger (hybrid brown) hens would like to be picked up and cuddled. I used to free range them and whenever I went into the garden, to hang washing on the line,water plants, etc, they would both come up and want a cuddle. They did the squat at my feet so I'd pick them up, obviously one at a time, holding the wings in with my thumbs whilst the rest of my hands scooped underneath them, I'd rest them on one hand whilst stroking their neck feathers with the other hand, they would tuck their head under my chin and chat with me whilst I chatted softly to them. That particular breed seem to be like that, I've not had this with any of the other breeds I've got. At the time I didn't have any roosters so they weren't wanting impregnating by me I don't think none of the other eight wanted to be picked up.

 

[2 Acres]

The pet chickens we had when I grew up would seek out people and make themselves comfortable in anyones lap when we were sitting utside around the fire or having drinks. They appreciated treats and being stroked - but just as you say none have liked being held from above or over the wings.

I have spent hours and hours every day with my golden pheasants and two of them actively seek me out for cuddles - but again don't want me to actively pick them up. If I want them to come I will give them a signal to come and perch in my arm and from there we get comfortable.
Dandelion falls asleep on my lap or on my head all the time. <3

When it's feeding time, I whistle like I'm calling a dog. Then all the girls come running.

Especially if I have treats.

 

[Labsandchickens8]

I always handle my chickens when they are young, and I've found that that makes them pretty comfortable with being held
3 pullets asleep (or chilling) in my lap
View attachment 3925451

I hwve 7 15 week old pullets. 1 Olive Egger 2 EEs, 1 BO, 1 BR, 1 SS and 1 Welsummer. I also handled my chickens a lot as chicks. But once I moved them outside they went crazy about being handled. Most will still eat out of my hand except for one Olive Egger who has always thought I am Satan. I had to do a lot of grabbing of that one poor chick because she would hide behind the TV cabinet or whatever when I let them out of the brooder for some exercise. I haven't touched her for several months now.
Do they get gentler when they start laying? I would love a lap chicken or two. And I need to occasionally check on all of them.

 

[DobieLover]

As I wrote above, chickens are prey animals. Humans are predators. As a general rule, chickens do NOT enjoy being handled.
Yes, some do. Most don't. But even the ones that don't like to be picked up, will still jump up in your lap to sit. Some will let you pet them.
People need to understand that prey animals will try to avoid being grabbed is such a way that makes them feel they cannot get away if they need to. It is how they survive.

one Olive Egger who has always thought I am Satan. I had to do a lot of grabbing of that one poor chick because she would hide behind the TV cabinet or whatever when I let them out of the brooder for some exercise. I haven't touched her for several months now.

She will always treat you this way because of her early experience with you. They remember. I have a hen who hates my guts because she had a partially impacted crop as a 6 month old pullet that required intensive treatment for about 5 days before she could be released back into the flock. She is the only bird in the flock that will not let me get close to her or hand feed her raisins.
However, when I need to treat her when I am working with the rest of the flock, I just do so at night with a headlamp on. It is actually less stressful for all involved this way.

Do they get gentler when they start laying?

They get more confident and a tad less flighty.

I would love a lap chicken or two. And I need to occasionally check on all of them.

See above. Sit in a chair in the run while they are out scratching around and offer treats in your lap. Let them jump up into your lap and give them the treat without trying to touch or restrain them. Also avoid looking them straight in the eye and just talk softly and move slowly. They may come up for a preening session or nap eventually.

 

[MROO]

(More i forgot to add becuase im dumb) 1. my english isnt the best, its not my first language. 2. i want a tame chicken so bad!!!

You can't force her to be tame by picking them up. You can encourage her to trust you by letting her come to you on her own terms. Sit with her, offering treats but not touching her and definitely not picking her up. Once she's good with that, start with touching the back of her neck. Birds preen each other on their necks and heads - places that are hard for them to reach for themselves. She will (hopefully) associate you with comfort and come to you willingly. The process takes weeks, not days or minutes. Most birds never reach the point where they are comfortable being picked up and held, but many will seek a quiet lap once they know that it means treats and grooming-time.