They won't roost in the coop :(

[Invergrove]

Hey there! I have a bit of an issue I would love some advise on.

I just got 4 pullets about a week ago. The first night I had them locked in the coop, then opened it up to their run the next day. Well, ever since - they refuse to roost in the coop at night. They just roost on a bar out in their run. I'm worried that when it comes time for them to lay, they won't go up into the coop to find the nesting boxes :/ They know how to use the ramp and go in - as sometimes I will sprinkle food up the rap and inside the coop to entice them in and it works.

Should I just remove the roost outside and see if they go in? Or is that bad, since incase they don't go in their would be on the ground all night?

I will post an image of my coop below.

And my 12 week olds go into the coop but instead of perching they all climb into the nesting boxes -- I'm hoping they figure it out before egg time.

 

[aart]

I'm hoping they figure it out before egg time.

Don't hope, do something about it. It's really rather easy to modify this behavior.
It's a bad habit that needs to be addressed before it becomes ingrained.

Block the nests off for the next few weeks so they can't roost/sleep in the nests.
Make sure your roosts are higher than the nests by about a foot,
they like to roost as high as possible.
Then when they get closer to laying age,
unblock the nests(add some fake eggs) and see what happens.
Hopefully they will have made a habit out of sleeping in the roosts.

Because I add chicks every year to my laying flock and I integrate them young, I rigged a hinged nest cover that's easy to employ and is always there when I need it. Close it up an hour before roost time, then open back up after dark when I lock up. Easy-Peasey!

 

[Cryss]

Yes, close it off. Bad habits cause poopy eggs.