How do I train my chickens where to roost?

[Lazy Farmer]

Or put in a light on a timer. Have it go on maybe 20 minutes before dusk and stay on till 20 minutes after. That will give them time to get settled before the coop goes dark.
Chickens generally will not move in the dark - so hopefully they stay put on the roost.

I recently did a major upgrade to my chicken yard, and it is now fully covered. Before, I had an enclosed hutch and the yard was only partially covered. I also have a ladder in the yard that the girls like to spend time on. However, now that the yard is fully roofed, they have started roosting at night on the top bar of the ladder, instead of going into the hutch. I don't really mind it so much because it's completely enclosed so nothing can get them, but when winter comes I want to make sure they go inside to stay warm. Also, I'm integrating some pullets and I don't want the younger ones to develop the same habit and make it harder to retrain the whole flock. Am I being paranoid about this? Will they go inside when it gets cold, or should I try to retrain them to roost in the hutch? They still go in there to lay, so I don't think it's that they have an aversion to the hutch itself. Thanks for your help!

 

[ronott1]

Do what was posted above and they will go into the coop at dusk