Chickens still run when tried to be caught

[Weehopper]

If you can, coop the older hens so they can't run off the young ones. Then sit on a chair or overturned bucket, or on the ground. And toss one or two pellets, or whatever you are feeding, down by your feet. Let them come to you. Rattle your bucket of feed a bit and call to them. As they get used to eating near to yoy, hold some feed down in your hand. This takes time, but eventually they will take food from your hand. Get them comfortable with that. Do not raise either of your hands above them when you decide to lift them a bit. The easiest way to lift them is if they are sitting on your leg pecking at food. You start by gently stroking under the chin and down the inderside of the neck a bit. If they get nervous, just stop and continue feeding them. Whey you and they are ready, you will gently slide a hand under and between the legs. Then remove your hand. Then, if all is well, slide your hand under and gently lift a bit. Not much. Then back down. And so on. Little steps. Eventually you will be sliding your hand under lifting and gently taking the bird by the legs;holding the legs together. Bring your yo her hand up (not over) to the wing butt, and lay it there, gently holding in case of a struggle. Don't drop the legs, and try to keep the other hand on the wing. Hopefully, if you have brought them along slowly and gently, they won't struggle. If they do, you will have all the control when you hold them like this, and never muss a feather. Like they said, this is a prey animal, so don't come at them like a hawk. Also, when you are holding them like this you can work on them. Delouse, pop em a worm pill, whathaveyou. I am sure that if you looked a bit, perhaps Google for the proper way to hold a chicken or any large bird, you will see this method used. You can do this with your older chickens, too. I have seen some very wild and even mean chickens, who, when caught and held like this, settle right down and start chuckling and talking to you. They just need to know you don't want to eat them. I hope this helps.