Does it matter if they don't perch to roost?

Hi Pepper,
I'm new to chickens so I had this with mine a few weeks back! I don't think its the end of the world if they don't but its a good habit to get them to do it. Mine smashed and ate a few by sleeping in their nest box and if you've not long had them it should be quite easy to change.
With mine I waited until they were in and sleepy (so an hour or so after they've gone in) and went in with a torch and moved them. I took the nest box out every night (because I can with mine). After about 4-5 days one of them started going up herself and after about a week they both were, i leave the nest box in now because they know where to go! I just check on them when i tuck they away and occaisionally i have to move hansel because she doesn't always perch but apart from that they pretty much do it now!
Hope that helps.

I'm intrigued by this question because I honestly hadn't given it any thought at all....my two girls sleep snuggled up together in a favourite corner of the nesting box. They're about 18 months old and, as far as I know, they have always slept this way, except a few weeks ago when Vera was very ill, when she chose the opposite side of their house. Once she had recovered, they were back to snuggling.

I would be interested to know if this is not the "correct" way, but I'll not force them to change as they're ahppy with their sleeping arrangements. 

My 2 Orpingtons girls always sleep in the nest box and have done this for 2 1/2 years they have not broken one egg yet , the 2 Friesian and 2 Barnevelder use the perch and they are all happy