Roosters roost in trees - tree house?

[JimNAZ]

We have 3 roosters that we decided to keep but have removed them from the hens. The roosters are around 6 months old. We have them fenced in an area with a 6' fence. Inside this area are 5-6 trees all bunched together. Very difficult for flying predators to swoop down and attack. Currently all 3 roosters roost in those trees at night.
We believe they are pretty safe at this time but are concerned about winter. The food sources for the predators around here will shrink and might force them to go after the roosters. We are also concerned about the weather during this time. They have a small structure to go in that's on the ground inside the fenced in area but have not gone into it yet at night. I'm sure they feel naturally safer in the trees.
Any suggestions for the winter? My wife wants to build a treehouse for them in the trees they roost in. I'm not even sure they would use it. Plus, with an open door it wouldn't stay too warm for them. I also feel that if they do stay in the treehouse they would be more vulnerable to predators. (Cornered/trapped) We are not in a situation to be able to have a door and lock them in every night.
Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Pork Pie]

If you can put a light (even a torch is fine) in the coop when dusk falls, they should migrate towards the coop. Once they are in, you can turn off the light and close them in.

If that does not work, you could try keeping them inside the coop for a few days (with food and water, naturally) to try and get them acclimatised to relating the coop with security. If, after 3-4 days, they continue not to use the coop, then repeat the process.

Chickens hate change, and since they have decided to roost in the trees, it may take a little persistence on your behalf to change things.

Good luck
CT

 

[JimNAZ]

Before I fenced in that area the roosters were free ranging and I would lock them in that coop at night, so they know it as a place to stay in. Also, due to the rainy season, we put their food inside the small pen of the coop (covered roof) to keep the food dry. They seemed not to like going in there to eat. For reasons unknown to me they do not appear to like that structure anymore.