Do you cover your windows in the winter?

[Montana-Hens]

Do any of you cover your windows in the coop at night or in the winter?

I used to have a small coop just right for 2 or 3 ladies and they had small windows that in the winter we screwed a second layer of Plexiglas over. This worked great

My new coop has a 24x36 double pane insulated window. It will be a great heat source during the day, but will be a huge heat sink at night.

In our home we cover all our windows as soon as the sun goes down. I am wondering if any of you in very cold climates have a shutter or something that you cover the windows at night?

 

[newchicksnducks]

Not only did I not cover my windows during the winter, they were cracked open! Our ventilation setup wasn't the best yet, so we had a double hung that we cracked open at the top (above the roost height) and a window to the side that we also cracked open,allowing ventilation without a direct breeze/draft on the chickens. They weathered the weather just fine We have cold NE Ohio winters here (secondary snowbelt) with 12*F common, especially during the nights. We did have a heated waterer for the girls and lots of shavings on the floor.

 

[CityChook]

I have a large double paned window in my coop too. I haven't covered it for the last two years. I don't notice a big loss of heat but heck, everything's just plain 'ol cold here in the wintertime.

I think the shutter would be beneficial to holding in heat acquired during the daytime, but I know that I wouldn't be disciplined enough to go out and open it up early in the morning to let the sunlight in.

 

[Montana-Hens]

I know what you mean about discipline. But I figured that I have to open the pop door even on the days I am not sure why then insist on going out (subzero).

I have not heated my coop in the past and don't plan to with this new larger one, and so that window heat loss concerns me. I am sure I am projecting my human concerns on my chicks.

 

[CityChook]

My take on it is, hey, if it helps you sleep at night, then you should do it. It doesn't really matter what others do -- it's what makes YOU happy and comfortable. And don't fret - you aren't the only person on the BYC who projects human concerns on your pets. I'm guilty too.

Happy Spring - cc

 

[patandchickens]

If frost becomes a problem, one thing you can do is tape bubblewrap over the windowglass. It does not have a *real* high R-value but is better than nothing and still lets a reasonable amount of light in. I do this in my basement, and it seems to be useful.

Pat

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

No experience for me yet, we're still building our coop/run. But, I have a friend who lives is the mountains of NC and it's very cold during Jan. and Feb. Minus 10 is common at night. She has two windows up high in her coop, about 2' x 4' each. She also has 1/2 inch cracks between the vertical boards on all four walls. Her windows are covered in wire only. When the wind blows, it snows in her coop. She's raised chickens for 30 years like this.