Understanding young ferals

Hi. I have 3 feral "barn cats" that I picked up from the local Humane society about 2 weeks ago. Two are sisters (about 6 months) and one bonded with a sister and she is about 4-5 months. The younger cat is very friendly and playful BUT she runs away when I try to pet her. She will eat off my fingers and they will all eat in front of me (although they prefer not to but do). She will even come up to smell my hand, but has not initiated actual contact. The sisters often hiss at me if I get to close to their spot but never actual aggression.  They will all play with a feather toy and are curious. I just don't know if I should take the initiative to try and pet the friendly one because I feel like eventually they will not understand and as they get older will never let me do it.  I want to be able to bring them to the vet if needed and hope I won't have to trap them to do so. Right now they are living in my garage (I had a problem with mice and possibly a rat to which I am really allergic to).  I hope to eventually let them outside so they could enjoy the world (I have lots of farms around me).  I do not see them being indoor only cats.  Is having three cats (two that are really skiddish) making it hard for any of them to trust me?

It would be easier for you, to have them one and one to foster.  Being one against three shy isnt easy...

Begin with this friendlies...  She will be your ambassadeour into the both others.

One tip, if they are shy to be touched by hand, use a  spoon of tree, or similiar, and pet them with it.  Tree, not metall, as it feels warm and comfortable...

Talk a lot with friendly voice, make much friendly sounds.  Its a natural language for cats.

They are often easier to touch, if they are comfortable staying on a bench or a chair...  Even many home cats avoid to be petted when standing on the floor...

Streching on themselves, and yawning, are friendly gestures.

Also, if they turn their behind to you, is friendly, its actually inviting you to be able to smell on their behind.  Pretend to do it by blowing a little very softly on the behind, so the ritual is done.  

Some Ideas.

Tx for caring!

Good luck!  @americamom

Three will be difficult, but not impossible. Generally one or maybe two will warm up to you if they see friendly cats interacting with you. If you can eventually get the youngest one to accept your touch, the others might lose a lot of their fear of you. You'll have to take it very slowly, though. It might take several weeks of her taking treats from your hand before she allows you to touch her, i.e., gently "brush" a finger on her head or side, and even then you might only be able to do it occasionally at first. It might take months for her to accept petting, and you don't want to push her too much before she feels at home. Sitting on the floor and talking/reading to them gets them accustomed to your presence and arouses their curiosity. Treats that they really like go a long way with most ferals. One or two a day at a fixed time will have them looking forward to your visits.

They love to play with toys (like feathers on a fishing pole type. I think it will happen eventually. Thank you!

That's a great start! Patience is the most important thing. The younger they are, the easier it is to socialize them (at least to some extent), and curiosity (toys) and greed (treats) are your friends. Our shelter has taken in dozens of ferals since Halloween, and all of the kittens/juveniles are now adoptable or are already in their new homes. It's "doable".