Advice on building windows and automatic doors

[nmr]

Hi all! My husband and I are building our coop, mostly out of 2x4s and plywood, and I wanted to ask about adding/making windows. I know to use hardware cloth and secure the actual window, and I want the window to be able to lift up and be propped open. I also want to use plexiglass.

How do I make sure the window is secure and free of drafts? What's the best method for making windows? I figured I could use the pieces cut out from the plywood to make the actual window frame and maybe use thinner wood for panels or decoration.

We want to add an automatic door, what should we be looking for in terms of a good quality and reliable door? I'd ideally like something that could be controlled by my phone, if that's even a thing yet.

Thanks!

 

[ColoradoPip]

The easiest way is to go buy a window from somewhere like Habitat ReStore for $30. Then all you need to do is slide it in, add some trim to hold it in place, done. If you are determined to make one, I would just do hardware cloth, no plexiglass, and a piece of plywood that slides over it to close it when you want. The plexiglass will become a mess IMO

There are many automatic doors on the market. I am not familiar with all of them and do not remember any with a phone app, but I bet they exist. The ones that a lot of people seem to really like around here are Ador1 and Chicken Guard (among many many others these are just the ones I see posted about most often), however people use all of the brands with success.

Things to keep in mind are...
- does the door lock or prevent something from opening it once it is closed (e.g. self locking, gear closed/opened, etc.)
- battery operated (with low power indicator)
- light sensor (or can easily be programmed and reprogrammed), light sensor is better
- are there fail-safe options, so a chicken doesn't have the door close on them.
- temperature rating for where you live (for instance, the chicken guard extreme is rated for colder weather than the standard chicken guard)
- Protected against elements (if mounted outside)

Then come to needs and wants
- operates multiple doors
- has mobile app
- solar option
- light sensor with GPS which auto updates open/close times based on sunrise/sunset


Why do you want an automatic door? Are they free ranging?

I go back and forth about it but in the end have stuck with my manual doors so that I can be there to let them out in the morning and check on things, then again at night to lock them up. I have posted (likely numerous times) how one morning I came out to a gluttonous mouse who squeezed into the hardware cloth but ate too much and could not squeeze out!! I was able to remove it (it was dead) but was happy the girls didn't have that chance first (I know it's ok for chickens to eat mice now, but did not then). Anyway, I like that I can scan the area well before they come out into it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you can find a cheap window on Craigslist or at a Habitat store, by all means. Makes it easy.

If you want to make one, that can be fairly easy too though sliding might be a bit challenging. You can do it but they can bind. One of the issues is covering the opening with hardware cloth to keep predators out.

I've made guillotine doors, you could use this with a piece of plexiglas. You can rig it so it slides up or to the side. I'd leave a piece of plywood out between the studs, put hardware cloth in one side of the studs and the guillotine window on the other. Not sure if you would want to open and close it from inside your coop or outside. Just make the slots big enough so the plexiglas doesn't bind.

As an alternative you can hinge the window from the top, build a frame around the plexiglas something like a picture frame. Prop it open in summer or lock it closed in winter. @aart don't you do something like this on your vents, hinge them at the top? By hinging them on the top you help keep rainwater out.

Don't think of drafts as you do in your house where you hold a candle near a window or door to see if there is any air movement. Air movement like that is good in winter, it helps exchange good air for bad. What you want in winter in Massachusetts is to stop breezes from blowing directly on the chickens on the coop floor or when they are on the roosts. In summer those breezes feel good. If you make your winter ventilation so the openings are over their heads when they are on the roosts in winter then any breeze will be over their heads. You are good to go.

 

[nmr]

Man I wish ReStore was open. That'd be a life saver. I was thinking I'd find an old window and replace the glass with plexiglass or something.

I want the automatic door because I usually leave for work when it's still dark and on weekends I try to sleep in, I'd like to give the chickens as consistent a schedule as possible.

 

[Folly's place]

We have window openings, covered in hardware cloth very well secured. I winter, we have a wood frame that holds sheet vinyl covering the windows we want closed, not pretty but works fine.
Nicer would be a clear shutter, hinged outside and above each window, that acts as rain protection, and could be closed in snow storms.
I miss the Restore right now too!
It's very important to have plenty of ventilation out there, regardless of the cold, just not blowing wind right at the roosting birds.
We have never had an automatic door either. I vary the times that the birds go out to free range, and want to count them and inspect the coop every night too.
Mary

 

[nmr]

Do the vents need covers or just enough so that weather doesn't get inside? I plan to put the vents up high, will overhang from the roof be enough?

Thanks!

 

[Ridgerunner]

This is some of my permanent ventilation from when I was in Arkansas. It's covered with hardware cloth against predators and stays permanently open, even with temperatures below zero F. My overhand is enough to keep rain out.

 

[Folly's place]

Yes! You need ventilation out there! Big roof overhangs are the best for everything.
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do the vents need covers or just enough so that weather doesn't get inside? I plan to put the vents up high, will overhang from the roof be enough?

A good roof overhang should be sufficient. Louvered covers can also be used if needed, or awning style covers that are hinged on top and can be propped open as needed.

 

[aart]

Prop it open in summer or lock it closed in winter. @aart don't you do something like this on your vents, hinge them at the top? By hinging them on the top you help keep rainwater out.

Yes, I took the existing static windows, framing already was there but had to tweak it a bit, and hinged them at the top. Propped open in summer cleated shut in winter.
Pics of upper windows that open inward and operated by ropes on my coop page, not sure I have any pics of the others....will look for some.
No details, but: