Do chickens need windows?

[QuispamChiks]

Silly question, but while it is still on paper, do chickens need windows in their coops?
I am incorporating plenty of ventilation, but have a big wall in front wall where the roost will be and perhaps can incorporate a view.

My issue is drafts,cause while I"love" my pretend chicks dearly I ain't spending moocho bucks on a triple glazed double hung draft proof view (I do not have that in my own bedroom)

even Habitat for Humanity ReStore windows are in $40 or more and I have not spent that much yet onthe coop ( all recycled and donated by friends in exchange for pretend eggs!)

I Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

 

[Fred's Hens]

During the winter, the daylight is essential. I think they completely love having it. The sunlight beaming in perks them up and is far more humane than living in a dark box all the time. Understand, we have weeks and weeks when they are "coop bound" during the winter. Unfortunately the window I have is east facing. I'd rather it would have southern exposure, but there was no choice. At least they have nice mornings.

 

[malee]

I found buying cheap picture frames at resale stores or Kmart make excellent windows add some wire cloth for sturdyness, just small screws and your done. You can even put cross bars if you wish with paint.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

My chickens have venting, but no windows. I think it makes it a nice, safe and dark place to sleep.

 

[QuispamChiks]

Good ideas I will keep looking for glass re-use ,

I guess issue becomes a window right beside the roost and if they
a) fight over a view and push each other off roost

b)face towards window so I need to shift poop board so it can catch droppings when butt facing away

( I read here somewhere the tendancy is to face away from wall when roosting now they will all want a view!)

 

[AinaWGSD]

Do they need them? Probably not. But I'd be willing to bet that they appreciate them and that windows allowing for extra light in the coop will make them feel "happier" during inclement weather when they don't care to brave the elements and leave the coop. Windows can also be a huge help in ventilation.

When my husband made our coop, he also made the windows. He saved the pieces of plywood that were cut out of the wall where the windows would be and after marking about 1" around the perimeter cut out the center making a plywood "frame." Then he took some 1x2" furring strips, cut them to length, mitered the corners and screwed them together to make the outer frame. Cut a piece of plexi glass to size and sandwiched it between the plywood frame and the furring strip frame. Attached them to the coop with hinges and viola...custom windows! A lot cheaper than buying any of the window options we saw when we were pricing materials. We did pay about $40 for the plexi glass, but it made 4 windows and we have a leftover piece that is probably big enough to make a 5th small window. They don't quite close all the way, but the bedding in the coop seems to stay dry when it rains so I'm not sure how big an issue that is. We didn't have any frost bite at all this winter and the girls seemed reasonably comfortable even through night time temps below zero. Most of the time they prefer to be outside (usually under the coop) even when the weather is nasty anyway. And when it's warm out we can open them all the way for extra ventilation and air flow. We can also open them only part way to allow for air flow while still providing protection from light-moderate rain.

The north wall is the only one in the coop that doesn't have a window. On the west wall, there is a window not quite the length of the wall right at roost height. And the long window on the south wall above the nest boxes is also right about roost height. They don't seem to fight over who gets to sit closest to the window. And mine roost both ways (towards and away from the wall that the roost rests on which doesn't have a window).

 

[AK Baha]

I see free windows on craigslist all the time.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: I wouldn't put a window in the same wall as the roosts.

It will just collect dirt, and will be colder in Winter

 

[Mtn Laurel]

No, they don't need windows. But I needed windows for the light and - as mine were recycled windows and free - the more windows I used in my coop, the less wood we had to buy. So, we've got lots of windows. And the birds truly enjoy them.

On rainy days you'll find my little flock of 8 lined up on the roost near the window, looking out. During the heat of summer, we put a window fan on the shady side of the coop to pull in cooler air and the coop was kept considerably cooler than the outside. The chickens would hang out in there just to stay cool.

We're going to make a plastic storm window to cover the window closest to the roost for winter. The back windows should catch the lower winter sun to add some warmth on winter days. Luckily, my coop is large enough to store several bales of straw and we will cover them in black plastic to act as heat sinks, sucking in the heat of the sun from the windows during the day and releasing it at night.

I use my windows for light, ventilation, and as both a cooling and heating system. The chickens may not need the windows but I sure do!

 

[Chickens R Us]

I went to a local store that sells and installs windows and asked them if they had any used windows for sale. The manager took me to their dumpster and told me to take what I need no charge.

Doesn't hurt to ask.