are windows necessary for the coop?

[Autumn Mama]

I live in the PNW, and I'm wondering if windows are necessary for my coop? It will house 6-8 hens, maybe a roo, and they will have a run of their own, perhaps partly covered from the elements.

So, how much light is needed? These are our first chickens, and we're not sure if leaving the windows off is a bad idea? It would save a bit on the budget, however it seems to me, that even in the early am before I open their door to the run, and if they choose to go in to lay, light would be beneficial...We aren't planning any electrical at this time either...


So, can you all in the know, please enlighten me about light?

 

[briana1975]

I am pretty sure that if you what them to lay well you will need some sort of light. Some one correct me if I am wrong though. I am still learning myself.

 

[BeccaOH]

I have 5 windows in mine (on all but the north side).

In the PNW, I believe you get a lot of rain. On those days with the chickens don't want to go out in the rain, you still want them to get the time of day message from the sun. The more sun they get, the better they will lay.

I'd personally put in a window in whatever direction that will allow the most light in.

 

[Sparklee]

If the weather is snowy or blustery or very cold, they will spend time inside. If it's dark, it will cut down on egg production. We have a small window of about 8 inches by 2 feet and we face it south. 9 Barred Rock mix chickens. Even through temps in the negatives, when we didn't even open up the coop for them on that day because it was just to blasted cold, we got at least 4 eggs a day. Without a window, they'd never know if it was day or night. On rainy, cold days (40s), mine come out, but spend a lot of time inside even though we have wind breaks and sections in the run with full coverage from rain. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Autumn Mama]

Quote:
Thanks for that! Yes, grey days + rain, sometimes many in a row. Gloomy! So, yes factoring in time inside, which by day I will provide free access to the coop, this makes sense. They need a natural daylight rhythm to align with for laying. And we want eggs!

That's the reason they're adopting us, lol!!!

 

[FarmGirl01]

I never had any windows. But I would put some in if I were to build a house from the ground up. As for daylight, I used a 60 whatt bulb set on a timer. It worked well.

 

[patandchickens]

Yup, if it is dim and gloomy in the coop, from their body clock's perspective day length will be quite short and there will be an extra long part of the year during which they lay poorly or not at all.

Also it is harder for you to notice problems.

Doesn't have to be an *opening* window, a piece of recycled plexiglass affixed over an opening will work. Or in some coop designs you can incorporate clear or translucent corrugated plastic panels (preferably in the walls not roof, and preferably on a side that will recieve essentially zero direct sun).

You do need a bunch of ventilation though (and the window should not be your only source of it) so you will be cutting holes in the walls *anyhow*... you could make the vent covers plexiglas and take care of two things at once.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Mr_Jeff]

It's a whole lot easier to put them in when you are building the coop as opposed to deciding you want them later on. when construction is complete. I'd put them in.

 

[Davaroo]

Look at it this way - would you want to live in a dark, smelly cave?

 

[speckledhen]

I say if you can put one on at each of three sides, you'll be better off in many ways.