I'm having a hard time picturing the OPs set-up. If pics were provided, maybe we could get a better idea of your concerns.
My set-up is probably similar to the OP's. I have one big, covered, enclosed run, which is the day-time hang-out for the chickens. It has open sides interspersed with full-length glass doors (for maximum light) as wind breaks , and right now, the open areas are winterized with plastic panels to keep the winter weather out. In summer, the panels come down, and it's open to the air.
At opposite ends, attached to the run, are the coops, much smaller, and that's where the chickens sleep and lay their eggs. They seem to be instinctively drawn to want to sleep or roost, (which is a verb when talking about what chickens do at night) and lay eggs in the most protected area they have access to. Young pullets getting ready to lay their first eggs, will observe the older hens and often take their cue as to where to lay from them. Salting the nests with fake eggs helps in this regard. But don't be surprised if most of your layers all choose to use one favorite nest even though you've provide numerous others. Hens also seem to be drawn to nesting places that are at ground level or down low as opposed to nests up high.
And yes, it's no problem for most chickens to flap their way up to perches (what many refer to as "roosts") but some heavy breeds have a difficult time with any perch higher than a couple feet, usually preferring a few inches off the floor.
There. Does that help?
