Lets recap some high points. They are 5 months old and you are finding pullet eggs under the roost when they do roost, so it sounds like at least one is just starting to lay. They've always slept in the nests and were previously bullied. You cannot go out there every night to block and unblock nests or set them on the roosts. You have older hens that are laying. Did I get something wrong?
They really don't like being collected and get very upset being caught. I hate fighting with them over this because it makes them wary of me during the day - and my other hens are lap hens, so it would be so sad.
I think you are being too sensitive here. You can train them to be lap chickens once they learn to roost. Sometimes you need to be firm.
Some information on what you have to work with could be really helpful here. How big is the coop, in feet? How much roost space do you have and how are they oriented to the nests, mainly height but physical proximity info could help. You never know where clues could come from. Photos showing layouts could really really help.
Since they have always been bullied makes me wonder about space, do you have enough. I've seen you on the forum but I can't remember what you have. That's not just about square feet per bird, layout plays a part. My pullets tend to not sleep on the main roosts with the adults until they mature enough to joint the pecking order, which is usually around the time they start to lay. Yours may solve that problem naturally as they seem to be getting close to that point. But they are in the habit of sleeping in the nests, you may need to break that habit.
What I think could be happening is that even if they try to roost with the big girls while it is still light enough for them see to get up there, they are getting pecked and bullied even with the pinless peepers, or they are still too afraid to even try. Other than the nests, what alternative do they have to sleep where the adults won't bully them? That's the type of thing I'd look for. Can you add a safe place that is higher than the nests yet well away from the bullies? That would be my first step. It's only two pullets, they don't need a lot of roost space.
I understand that some people's schedules don't allow them to always be home at dark. That limits opportunities to retrain them, you can't be consistent and you do want the nests open for the older hens so you don't retrain them to lay somewhere else. You can only do the best you can. My thoughts are, after you make sure they have a safe place away from the hens (if you can do that) then either block off the nests and force them to sleep somewhere else or move them to the safe place after dark on the nights that you can. I can't come up with anything better.
Good luck!
