My three, 5 week old silkies also are very afraid of my handling. My three Rhode Islands are fine, so calm compared to the silkies. And rooster Speckled Sussex is quite calm too. All are 5 weeks old. I am new to chickens too. They do get handled often, but as they get older I do it less. I call the the silkies my Cotton Diva's. They fidget and scream bloody murder when I do finally catch one. . . . .I just figured they are just high maintenance, complaining girlies. They are learning that with me comes food. I give them treats often, not by hand, but they know not to run from me. Who says Silkies don't like ramps? Mine go up just fine, but have issues jumping out onto ramp to get out. All of them, not just the silkies, however, are still trying to figure this out. I am still catching them and placing them on the ramp so they can get out. Only saw one come out on its own, and that was a silky!! In time, I hope they all get it.