Mine are 8 weeks today. I put the roost in the coop about 2 weeks ago and they all huddled on the floor as yours do. I tried coming in at dark and putting them on the roost, they would just fly down. It was usually pretty dark and I think they were just scared. I tried alot of different things and finally found a solution.
I have a light on a timer in the coop. I never had it on unless it was a rainstorm or something outside (it was pretty dark in the coop with no sun) so I decided to use it to my advantage. I wait until its almost dark out to close up the coop, because they want to be outside every minute they can. Then I set the light to go off about 15 minutes after its REALLY dark outside. I don't know if thats why, but they finally use the roost. When they come in from the run, they have time to settle down and get "ready" for bed while its not too dark. Every last one of them (26) hops up there now just in time for the light to go off.
I have a light on a timer in the coop. I never had it on unless it was a rainstorm or something outside (it was pretty dark in the coop with no sun) so I decided to use it to my advantage. I wait until its almost dark out to close up the coop, because they want to be outside every minute they can. Then I set the light to go off about 15 minutes after its REALLY dark outside. I don't know if thats why, but they finally use the roost. When they come in from the run, they have time to settle down and get "ready" for bed while its not too dark. Every last one of them (26) hops up there now just in time for the light to go off.
