[New shoot]

Got my new chicken coop last Thursday.  Got overexcited, built it and installed it in the run the same day   

Was duly inspected as you can see





They go in and out during the day and have been laying in the nest box.  Will they go to bed on their own .................. will they heck    5 days on and I have to start putting them to bed in the hope the rest will follow.  Took 25 minutes last night to coax them all in   

[JaK]

  It does look very nice though, hope they appreciate your efforts soon. 

[orchardlady]

Try hanging a torch in there. They will be attracted by the light.

Orchardlady.

[gracie]

What time are you trying to get them in. Could you leave it longer and they may surprise you

[Sooz]

The torch method works.
I left it until it was quite dark and then just shone a torch inside and they all toddled in.

[New shoot]

I've been using the torch trick but no joy and they have been out coming up to 10.00pm when it's starting to get dark

Last night they wouldn't even go near the house until about 9.15 and were stood making a racket by the run door.  I went out and one eventually braved it and went in, so left it 15 mins - 3 had gone to bed.  Eventually they all did go in on their own last night  The last couple practically had matchsticks holding their eyes open 

[Raven81]

Mine go inside at around 10pm on a nice day, however, if its cloudy they sometimes go in at 8 - I have figured they have no routine!!

[hillfooter]

Yes just leave them to it the outer run will protect them.  These light evenings mine often don't roost till just before 10 and on a hot night they may roost on the house roof.  Particularly if you are hanging about they will stay out hoping for some treats.

I see they have a slatted floor which is good and something many poorly designed houses don't have.  This allows the dropping to fall through and they aren't picking in them.  The bars could be a little closer together though so they can walk on the bars more easily, 5-6  cms apart would be good.  Raising the house on blocks is a good idea too.

HF

[Kenilworth]

Like most animals their roosting routine will be set around the hours of lightness.

[Sooz]

They'll get the hang of it....eventually.

[New shoot]

They are usually very early to bed 

The floor is a slide out tray and those are the perches you can see in the photo.  The Odd Couple - Beyonce the Blue Orp Bantie and Yoda the tiny Serama are going in tonight as well.  Beyonce has got her name as she has grown into a very bootylicious young lady - even by Orpington standards    These 2 are the stay up late merchants, so will be shoving them in the house at who knows what time tonight 

[SnooziSuzi]

maybe you need to lock them in it for 24 hours to imprint it on their little minds that it is their new home.

[joyfull]

I wouldn't do that in this weather they would get too hot 

[New shoot]

Wahey!  Big gang all in last night by 9.30 and took themselves off to bed on their own

Beyonce and Yoda were rudely woken up and moved in as well and all seem fine this morning.  They are used to free ranging around the garden together.  

I have a shelf in the run with the feeder and drinker underneath and the Odd Couple are installed on top of this with their own food and water.  Foghorn the cockerel has been up there sitting with them.  I suspect he's whispering "hello preeeetttyyy ladies" to them    

[JaK]

  Beyonce is a fantastic name for an orp!