Do I need a window?

[mamabear104]

Hi all! I am newbie here and love reading all your input.

I have a few questions of my own...

My husband and I are building a chicken tractor (quite large one) for our 2 Red Sex Link chicks. They are around 5-6 weeks old (I think).

We have about 4' x 8' ground coverage for the run and the house is in the upper back of the tractor. It is 4' W x 3' T x 3' D roughly. We have a little door for the hens to get into their house and it will have a small 6" x 6" window made of 1/2" hardware cloth. Other than this we don't currently have a window on their box. I am afraid this is will be WAY too dark for them. What kind of window should I include? Plexi-glass? How big should it be and should I put it on the North or South Side? The South side would be facing inside the run. The entire tractor will have a tin roof over the top.

I look forward to your input. I can post some pics shortly if that would help...

 

[patandchickens]

pics would help. what shape of tractor is this? If it is an A-frame, your only good option for windows is to have as big a one as possible on the end. If the tractor is built on a rectangular/boxlike plan though you have plenty of options.

I would strongly recommend your window(s) (and yes, I agree you need more) consist of hardware-cloth-covered vents with plexiglas (whatever) covers that close over them. The windows are as important for ventilatin as for light! If not protected by a roof overhang, you may need to devise some sort of louver or awning cover to keep the worst of the rain out of the house, depending on the details of your setup.

Hope this helps,

Pat

 

[mmajw]

I agree a pic would be great and yes I think there should be a window.

 

[mamabear104]

I just wish I knew where to find one that didn't cost a ton. Any advice?

 

[Mrs MIA]

Try your local Craigslist... we got some seriously heavy duty windows for our new coop at a tiny fraction of the cost. Sometimes people have them just lying around and want to get rid of them, so post on there that you're looking to buy, or that you'll haul away their old windows for free. We got a couple of great indoor and exterior doors for free on Freecycle. org, too. Or check out the local landfill.

 

[mamabear104]

Here is a view from inside the tractor looking at the house front. On the left you see the opening for the chicken door. It is not yet attahced but in the next photo...




Here is a view from the chicken door looking to the back right of the box.


Here is a side view. The cut out is where we will have a door for cleaning the box out, as well as, collecting eggs.


Here is a closer view of the opening.


Here is a view from the inside of the nesting box.


Here is a pic of the back of the tractor.


Here is an angled view of the other side.


And here is a pic of my chicks a couple of days ago...
How old do you think they are? One still has a little down on her head but almost all the feathers are in. They still have fluffy butts too.

 

[Mrs MIA]

4 weeks, maybe?

 

[mamabear104]

Well my husband bought them on 4/4/08 which was 4 weeks ago last Friday. They were fairly new then the bigger one just sprouting her first couple of wing feathers. So I guess they are at least 5 weeks old... Just not exactly sure.

 

[Davaroo]

Nice looking tractor. DH is a real handy fellow, it seems. Hope you got some big wheels for that beauty!

Okay heres the deal:

Chickens dont care about windows. The only time it is important is when they are confined and cant get sunlight anyother way. Then you need more than just a window; you need an open side.

In all honesty, coops are for sleeping and laying - they should be out and about with the sun at other times. Lazy birds should be booted out and feeding should occur outside to encourage outdoor living.

It's far better to ensure that the coop is well ventilated, clean and made to be watertight. Funky dampness is far more a problem for chickens than a nice view.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Find one what? Window? Goodness, all you need is a piece of plexiglas type stuff. Even if you can't find anything to scavenge and have to buy it brand spankin' new at full retail, you can get a piece that's like 12x18" for around $10-15 (it will be thin, and it will not necessarily be Real Plexiglas, but it will work just fine. Look in Home Depot etc, possibly near the windowscreen... ask for help if you can't find it).

Then you just make a wood frame for it. You're not trying to make anything elaborate, just a clear panel that you can hinge onto the coop or put into sliding tracks (made out of wood too).

You really do not need a fancy premade window. In any case good luck finding one small enough for your tractor

Have fun,

Pat