How do I get my parakeets to loosen up?

I just bought three parakeets the other day. They are all about 1 year old. They are always very quiet and go crazy if I stick my hand in the cage. I was just wondering if there is anyway to get them to relax and even loosen up. I have never heard birds so quiet. They sit on a bridge in the cage and just stare at everything. Also, since they aren't letting me get near them, what is the best way to bath them? And will they find the food on there own?