How long to lock them in the new coop?

[Pyxis]

Alrighty guys, my chicken population ballooned this spring/summer and I had to build a bigger coop for the winter. Well, it should be done this weekend. So my question is, how long do I lock the girls in that they get used to sleeping there, and also start laying in the nest boxes and learn to lay there? The new girls were hiding their eggs all over the yard and I want to avoid that this time around.

 

[McGobs]

At least a couple of days. Maybe longer (a week'ish) if you have an attached run that they have access to while locked up.

 

[devora]

I'm lazy and don't want to retrain so do it for at least one week. Sometimes two. (Like I said, I don't want to have to do it all over in a few months!)

Then I let them out gradually. First day, about a half hour before sunset. Next day, maybe 45 mins. or an hour before. Eventually, they get out the full time.

I know this sounds a tad absurd. Still, I would rather put in the work up front then put my feet up and relax for a year.