how to integrate these gals?

[Chickiemom25]

I have two 1 year old hens who free range in our suburban yard. I have two 10-12 week old pullets that were moved outdoors a month ago during the day in a run which the hens can walk up to. Every evening I let the pullets out of the run for a couple hours with the hens, but they don't seem to want to go far from the run and they keep their distance from the hens. The pullets were sleeping in a tote in the house until last night when I moved them to the coop. The hens abandoned the coop 3 months ago after their sister was killed by a opossum I think and have been sleeping in a dog crate. So, now I would like to get everyone sleeping together for simplicity sake. The coop has been cleaned and repainted since the attack. The coop now has a door on it so it is safer. How do I get everyone sleeping together when they wont even eat together. The pullets are Plymouth Rocks and will be almost twice the size as my americauna and orpington who currently rule the roost. The hens have stopped chasing the pullets when they see them but the pullets are still skittish with the hens. Help

 

[Den in Penn]

The integration is almost done. The older ones have accepted the younger ones right to exist. Now the hard part. Getting the elders back to the coop. After the young ones get used ti the coop, say a week, Just keep putting the elders in until they get the message.

 

[Chickiemom25]

Will the hens attack the pullets in the close quarters of the coop?

 

[Den in Penn]

Have they attacked them out of the run or in the run? If there is enough room in the coop there should only be some haggling of who sleeps where. When I said the hard part, I meant the hard part of changing the hens habit of sleeping out of the coop. After all they had a bad experience there.

 

[Chickiemom25]

no attacks, the pullets just avoid the hens. When I went to put one pullet in the crate with one hen the hen puffed up and squawked and the pullet ran out.. She wasnt staying around to see what happens. The hens like to sleep in the nesting boxes and I am putting the pullets to sleep on a roost in the coop, so hopefully all will be well when the hens are reintroduced to the coop. The Pullets will be much larger than the hens in a couple months. and for now, all 4 will easily fit on the 4' roosting pole if they want to.