Do they HAVE to go inside at night?

[cbascom]

A little background, real quick. I have 2 adult EE hens and an adult EE/OEG rooster; 6 6wk old EE pullets; and 18 6 wk old heavy breed cockerels. This weekend, the chicks came out of the brooder and the EE pullets were moved into a new coop along with the adult birds. The cockerels were moved into the adults old pen. Both coops consist of a house and a fully enclosed run.
The problem is that NO ONE goes into their house at night. I have had to put all birds, old and young into their respective houses for the last two nights.
I understand why the chicks would not get it, but why are the older birds not going in the house? They have gone in during the day, and the EE pullets spend a good portion of the day indoors and then come outside to pile in a corner when the sun goes down. The older birds just climb up on the outdoor roost. The cockerels come outside on their own in the mornings, but i don't think they go inside much during the day. They are mostly heritage types with 4 CX thrown in for good measure. They also just seem to want to pule in a corner when the sun goes down.
So, do I just keep putting everyone away? Or let them do what they want? I live in the High Desert in Calif, so night time temps are still cool, in the lower 40s, and may fall as low as 34 in the next couple of weeks. Although nothing is sure, their runs are probably as safe as their coops from predators.
Sorry this is so long. Thanks in advance!

 

[3chickchicks]

If you've just moved them, it'll take a week or two for them to get used to the new set up. They don't *have* to go inside but a safe place that keeps cold drafts off of them will keep them healthier.

 

[cbascom]

If I don't move them, will they eventually go by themselves? Or should I just keep moving them? Also, should I move them at dusk or wait till full dark? I want to give them a chance to move themselves, but don't really relish the thought of traipsing out there in the dark to move them!

 

[3chickchicks]

I trained mine by going out a little earlier than when they would try to bed down and put them (either by picking them up or chasing them in) in the coop. Then I locked them in for the night (My ramp folds up and covers the door so I just propped it up). After a few days of that, I could shoo them into the coop and I'd lock them in it. After about a week, they started going in by themselves.

 

[donrae]

I had a trio live outside for a good 2 years. They roosted in the trees and did just fine. If your run is predator proof and you're comfortable with them being out of the coop, there's no reason they HAVE to go in. The coop is for predator and weather protection. If they don't need those things, the coop's not necessary.

 

[Trefoil]

The easiest way to accomplish what you want is. When you transfer the chicks out of the brooder, lock them in the coop for a few days before letting them out into the run. That way they will see the coop as "home" and go there at night to roost as long as they feel safe there.