I got 4 full grown (young) hens a couple months ago (they were free range and from the neighbors, slept in trees, would come over to my yard because i gave them food and water, neighbors were druggies and didn't care for them) and finally got a large dog house and small run prepared for them where they've been for 5-6 WEEKS now, seemingly happy but we have been wanting to put up a large pen so they could free range contained. However it may be at least another week or 2 before we get the pen put up and i am wondering if i just threw the door of the coop open, WOULD they return willingly at night?
They know their roost and nest box well and took to it immediately but i'm afraid they'll not come back in at night... only TWO let me pet them and possibly hold them but the other 2 definitely will not.
What would you all do? Just let them free range and not build a pen? Let them out while building a pen? Just keep them in another couple weeks?
Pics of dog house and covered run (run is cleaned out)


Area where we will pen off (between coop and a shed)


They know their roost and nest box well and took to it immediately but i'm afraid they'll not come back in at night... only TWO let me pet them and possibly hold them but the other 2 definitely will not.
What would you all do? Just let them free range and not build a pen? Let them out while building a pen? Just keep them in another couple weeks?
Pics of dog house and covered run (run is cleaned out)
Area where we will pen off (between coop and a shed)