Coop layout

[lisajohnson03908]

I am in the process of building a new 8'x12' chicken coop
It will have a large window facing the south (i live in southern Maine)
My question is should i have the roost or the nesting boxes across from the window to get the sunlight

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi Lisa! Welcome to BYC!

A window for sunshine is nice, and should be able to open or close, depending on the season and weather. In the colder seasons, you would want it closed.

That being said, you need to have plenty of ventilation. It should be high and not blow on the roosts at all. What you want is for your birds to have a very dry, well ventilated, and draft free environment in the winter. This is what will keep them warm.

 

[Pigpye]

Nesting boxes preferably in dark area for laying as they prefer it put roost near window

 

[DobieLover]

I am in the process of building a new 8'x12' chicken coop
It will have a large window facing the south (i live in southern Maine)
My question is should i have the roost or the nesting boxes across from the window to get the sunlight

Have you begun construction? Do you have floor plans you can post? Do you have an inspiration coop you are working off of for ideas?
I would put in multiple top hinged windows and make large overhangs on the roof so they can be kept open most of the year. Plan for lots of ventilation too. Use the space under the eaves and between the rafters for year round ventilation and install a ridge vent to really help move out the moist air.
Something like this:

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Welcome! Thanks for joining the flock! Who is your friend?

South-facing with an overhang will help in both summer and winter. I agree that nesting boxes should be in a darker area. I might put the roost in front of the window, a poop board below, and nest boxes under the poop board.

We did have one post here where it seemed the nesting boxes were too dark. Sigh. Chickens!

 

[aart]

Something like this:

Yes, something very much like that!!

Welcome to BYC! @lisajohnson03908
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Well for starters I'd put in more than one window. I have 5 in a 6x10.

I don't believe in dark nest boxes... not saying they should have bright sunlight streaming into them but providing a sense of safety and privacy is key. I've even added multiple little windows into a nest box before and the chickens had no issue with using it.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I have a 10x8 coop with two smaller windows on front where entrance is and one larger on back wall. Nesting boxes on floor and roosting bar above. My coop is currently split so my big girls and ducks are on larger side and silkies on smaller.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, Lisa. Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

I think you'll find most of this personal preference. We all have our opinions and experiences, many of them quite different.

In Arkansas my 8' x 12' coop had one standard sized window I salvaged from a house upgrade on the north side. I can see well enough in there on a cloudy winter day to do anything I need to. The chickens have not complained, they have not sent me any petitions asking for more light or gone an any strikes wanting more light. I also have a lot of ventilation up high which lets in a lot of light so that might factor in. I don't know what the rest of your coop looks like.

I don't know if you have security lights that might shine in your window at night. They need a certain amount of dark downtime. In my coop the section of the roosts next to the window is prime real estate for roosting. If you have a bright light just outside they may like that or they may not. But I'd try to keep the roosts from being too bright at night. In winter you don't want a cold breeze blowing on them but in summer a breeze is nice. There is nothing wrong with having a window that can be closed in winter and open in summer at any height. Just install hardware cloth for predator protection when it is open.

You are in Maine. That's good information. Your location often is, thanks for mentioning it. Putting your general location in your profile makes that information always available.

You will probably get some pretty warm days in the summer but nothing like others deal with. Of course what your coop looks like, how it is shaded, and how the nests are made can make a big difference, but I try to avoid nests on walls that will heat up in the sun. For you that is probably south and west walls. I don't want the nests to turn into ovens. Nests hanging external or closed type boxes inside would be more of a concern than a nest inside that is well ventilated. This is probably not that big of an issue for you but maybe something to think about. I don't worry which side the roosts are on from a heat perspective. They use roosts at night after it has cooled off.

To me the main thing is to make the layout convenient to you. The chickens really don't care that much. They really can adapt to many different things. The more comfortable you are working in there the better care you will take of the chickens. Always think of yourself, that's not being selfish.

My personal preference is that the nests not be real bright. I don't know that this is better, it's just my preference. I grew up on a farm where the chickens free ranged and several hid nests instead of laying in the hen house. Those hidden nests were generally in darker well shaded areas. That does not mean they won't lay in brighter areas. In my coop most of my nests are fairly dark boxes with just an opening in front for the chickens to come and go, but I once used a cat litter bucket totally open. They used them all.

I don't think there is a "best" arrangement. Making it convenient to you is, to me, the most important.