How to teach chickens to return to coop at night?

[mandy_erica]

Hi all!
I have 18 chickens that have reached the age of 11 weeks old. They have been living in their coop and cold weather is finally on its way out for us here. That being said it’s starting to warm up during the day and It is heating up the coop even though it has good ventilation (I open up vents along the top of the coop, the window and door screen).
I would like to start allowing them into the outdoor run, but was wondering how you train your chickens to come back to the coop at dusk? Or even how to find the coop at dusk time as it’s a rather large run? I have taken them outside before but when I opened the coop door for them they didn’t really want to leave the coop.
Thanks for the advice, tips, and tricks!

Side note-here are some pictures of my coop. It is half green house and half shed type. The shed portion is divided in half on the inside to have separate flocks and the green house portion is an indoor chicken run. There are also two separate outdoor chicken runs on either side.

 

[CraftyHen]

If they are living in and roosting in the coop, they should automatically return to their familiar roost as evening comes. For the first couple nights you may try mealworms to entice them back in. As far as going out, just open the door and let them be. They will give in to their curiosity soon enough.

 

[chelseachook]

Sometimes my hens don't realise the door is open so I just take one and put it outside and the rest follow.

I have taken them outside before but when I opened the coop door for them they didn’t really want to leave the coop.
Thanks for the advice, tips, and tricks!