How long to lock chickens into their coop for homing

[SGP]

I just moved my brand new flock of 12 chickens into the coop. They range from 4-6 weeks old. I’m told they should be locked into the coop itself with no access to the run for 3 days to “home” them. Is this true? I have also read that they need to be locked in for 1-3 weeks! Does this mean with or without access to their run? They are on day 2 of lockdown. When can they have access to their run??

P.S.: it’s getting warm in there with the hen door closed, even with coop windows open. I’m worried they will start pecking each other due to being too warm.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

run, yes, if covered. Lock them up at night.

 

[Backyard Bruce]

I'm no expert but I locked them up for 1.5 days, let them in the run after that. I never had to put them in the coop once, they all just went in before dark on their own free will.
Now, 2.5 weeks later and at 6 weeks of age they go on their perch without any coercion from me ever.
Here it is at 6:20pm and the sun is still up, the wife just came in from checking them and they're already up on their perches with the doors wide open, go figure.

Then I read others having all sorts of fits, some while locking them up for longer periods and others with the same or never locking them up...I guess it really is just the luck of the draw.

 

[rosemarythyme]

There's not a set amount of time to lock them into the coop. "A few days" should be enough to do it, but every flock is different.