Window location?

Good morning! So I found a spare window for the coop, its a 31.5" hopper window. I am only going to put one in right now and wanted to see if I can get some opinions on the best location. My nests are on the north side of the house. Do I put the window above them or do I put it on the south side of the building. My wind prevails from the south but I read in a couple places that they kind of get upset sometimes with light shining in on them in the nests. Ideas? Thanks!

You can get a lot of different opinions on this and that is what it is, opinion and personal preference. I personally like the coop itself to be a bit darker, I think mine are calmer when it’s not so bright. Others have really bright coops and like them. As with everything there is no real right or wrong answer. I do want enough light in there so I can see to work and the chickens can see to get around.

When a hen is looking for a nest she instinctively looks for a place that is a good hiding place. She is looking for a place that she thinks predators will not find her nest and eat the eggs, or her for that matter. Darker spots often appear beter hidden. That doesn’t mean some hens won’t choose a nest right out in the open, who knows what their bird brains are thinking, but when mine try to lay somewhere other than in a nest they normally pick a fairly dark secluded place.

I don’t know what your nests look like or whether you are counting on that window for ventilation. I don’t know where your roosts are which could influence where I’d put that window. Mine like to roost right next to my window and I open my window in the summer for ventilation. It’s closed right now.

If your nests are built with a top so they are dark inside, I don’t know that it makes that much difference. Not knowing anything about your ventilation or roosts, the north wall would be my preference if north and south are the only options. Even in Maryland heat in summer is probably more of a danger than cold in winter. On the north side the coop will stay cooler in summer.

I like the nests on the north wall for the same reason. Depending on how they are built, if they are on the south or west wall they just might become little ovens in the summer. That north wall will be cooler.

Thank you Ridge! I have my nests on the north side just for that reason that you said, they also are the nests that come 18 inches off the side of the coop so they are kinda seperated. With the window placement that's what i was thinking on the north side but wasn't 100% sure. Ventilation isn't a huge deal for me as both ends have large gable vents and the eaves are all open. So the window was for light and a little extra air movement movement in the summer time.