A note about them running from you: You may be able to get closer to them, depending on how you approach them. My chickens are used to me, they often run towards me, and yet they still sometimes run away, especially if I'm moving too fast or swooping down from above. Chickens instinctively fear predators from above, but they're less flighty when I scoop them up from the sides. The more time you spend around them, especially with treats, the calmer they'll be when you're around. Sit outside the coop or in the run if it's big enough. Personally I don't free range unsupervised because we have hawks here and I haven't put up netting yet. Once your birds are used to their coop, they'll consider it "home". You'll find it's harder getting them out than getting them back in.
