Questions about the roost bar!

[Ridgerunner]

Oh, the door is automated. Until they are trained, could you make one that you can open and close.

 

[Greaner_pastures]

UPDATE! They went in on their own tonight. I think a combo of turning lights on and getting rid of that front lip they were sleeping on originally might have done it!

 

[Mouthpear]

Like many have already said, a light inside works great. The lantern is a good Idea but a timed LED light is better, and brighter.

Also like others have mentioned, get the roosting bar up higher than the nesting boxes.

If you can't get it higher than or if your bars are low by design, and you have decent skills with following instructions you can make push out nesting boxes. On a timer or smart switch, the boxes will push out any hens inside and not let them back in until morning.

Here is an example of how they work.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

UPDATE! They went in on their own tonight. I think a combo of turning lights on and getting rid of that front lip they were sleeping on originally might have done it!