Granny X2
It takes them time to know you are not out to eat them. Chickens in general don't like to be picked up. They are nervous when their feet leave the ground. My girls have never gotten over it and still fuss when picked up.
As for them being nervous or running from you, they can do that. My girls are huge lap babies. I can't go into the run or coop without birds wanting me to sit down on the floor so they can get on my lap. They even fight over who gets to sit closest to me. They follow me around like drooling puppies, but they hate to be grabbed and picked up. They still run from me daily.
The best thing you can do is go sit with them for 15 or 20 mins a day. Do it at the same time everyday as birds need routine. Bring some treats with you each time. When you go to greet them, dole out the goodies and then sit down with them. Save some of the goodies and feed them on your lap. Or sprinkle them around your legs and such. Let them get used to you. And stay there with them for 15 or 20 mins. If you do this every day, in a week or so, they will have less fear of you. Eventually they will be begging you to sit with them and will get all excited when they see you coming. Pretty soon they will be all over you.
Good luck with your babies and welcome to BYC!
