Should silkies be force into coop during winter?

[Pgw]

Am a new silkie owner and see that my flock just likes to sleep in a huddle on straw covered ground inside their 10x20 run. I keep my roos on 1 side and hens on other separated by metal gate width of run. They can see each other and huddle together at night on 1 side. I do have 2 -4x4 coops they can get in but they never do. We are having below freezing temps and wondering how to encourage them to get in coop at night. Worse than herding cats! I have read they aren't too bright and worry they would get too cold on bare ground. I have large clear plastic tarps on north side of coop to block wind and 2 windows as well. My run is inside my 3 sided pole barn. So they are protected against rain and ice. Should I just put them in their coops at night and lock them up? My run is frankly overbuilt. My family calls it fort chicken knox! So have never worried about predators. Also have premier electric fencing around the entire barn and pasture they graze in.
Thanks!
Pam

 

[nuthatched]

Can you put a light in the coop so they'll drift in like moths?

 

[Yardmom]

What advantages will there be to forcing them in the coop?
If you want them to sleep in the coop you will need to home them to the coop. This could be by locking them in for a week or two or putting them in each night until they go in on their own.
Im not sure how others house silkies at night, but mine roost about 18 inches off the ground.

 

[Pgw]

18 inches???? Wow. Have never seen mine even attempt that height. I have a 6 ft x 4ft wide rooster bar ladder for my buff brahmins and the silkies wont attempt the first rung.

 

[Pgw]

Can you put a light in the coop so they'll drift in like moths?

I now have the visual...too cute! No I don't but good idea.