How many window(s) for the coop?

[sharondoright]

Interesting. This is my first year with laying hens, so I have yet to winter over the birds. I have been told by locals that I can expect the chickens to basically live in the coop for most of the winter when the snow piles up.

I give mine choice. We haven't had a severe snow since I got my chickens, but we get up to a foot on the ground for several days - They love the fresh air. I do think if you get massive snow, maybe put a bale of shavings out on top of snow to give them a frost bite shield... dunno.

 

[sharondoright]

I am familiar with the Amazon bird nets, and they are a good price. I am thinking of getting bird netting locally at our Fleet store, it's a bit smaller, but about as big as I think I will want for the pasture.

We got our net from walmart.com. It's HUGE and very sturdy. small birds still get in, but predator birds are shunned.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Regarding the original question, as comparison my coop is 6x10. We have 5 windows on 3 sides (I believe it's three 36x36 and two 24x36). I really love having natural light in there. If drafts are a concern in your climate, you could always just shut the windows, no? Windows can provide both light and ventilation but nothing says they must do both.

 

[Leigti]

I would definitely add more windows. And paint the inside of the coop white. That way it will seem lighter and brighter.

 

[gtaus]

I would definitely add more windows. And paint the inside of the coop white. That way it will seem lighter and brighter.

Hum, I guess I will pick up at least one more window when I go into town today. I was thinking that I could just cut out some siding and add a window later, but the slider window I bought needs to be installed before the siding, so cutting out a hole in the siding later would not be an easy modification.

I had planned on painting the inside of the coop, so I guess I could just use my barn white paint (coop is barn red with white trim). That should protect the wood and brighten things up. Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There is some personal preference in this. I prefer a darker coop as compared to bright, I think it calms the chickens. The coldest I've kept chickens in was Arkansas, nothing like your weather or snow.

You and the chickens need enough light in there to see what you are doing. I don't know how much light that one window lets in. Another aspect is that the chickens need to be able to see to go to bed in the coop when it gets ark outside. If they can't see well enough to go into the coop when it gets dark outside they may want to sleep outside. If you were down here I'd suggest a window on the cooler north might be a good idea. Where you are south might be a good idea though east or west aren't too bad. I think those are the functional aspects I'd worry about.

You are correct the chickens are not art critics. But appearance can be important to you. If your neighbors can see it, then it might be important for it to look nice.

If you are just looking for light you can cut out a hole, frame it, and cover it with Plexiglas or similar. It's nice in summer to be able to open it for increased ventilation but you need to cover it with hardware cloth for predator protection.

Chickens don't like change. If they wake up to a strange white world mine tend to not go out at all for a few days. But eventually some go out in it. I think one thing that helps is that they have something to forage on, a reason to go out. I've had chickens go exploring in 9" of snow to normal forage areas like the compost pile, but it took them a few days to do it. When I took this photo about 1" of snow fell during the day after they were already out. The change was gradual enough they just stayed out.

 

[aart]

The more windows the better.

I have been told by locals that I can expect the chickens to basically live in the coop for most of the winter when the snow piles up.

That can happen....but you really don't want that to happen unless you've got LOTS of space in coop. Chicken Cabin Fever is real....and it's UGLY.

I shovel part of the run, for access to outside of pop door and also to keep roof clear of snow when it sticks... darn near collapsed my first winter and I had to wade out in snow up to my thighs to clear it...and to speed clearing of run during snow melt season.
Tedious, but worth it.

 

[Alaskan]

I would put in enough windows for excellent summer breeze (I am guessing that you have hot summers) and lots of windows on the south side are excellent for winter because that sun brings free warmth.

Interesting. This is my first year with laying hens, so I have yet to winter over the birds. I have been told by locals that I can expect the chickens to basically live in the coop for most of the winter when the snow piles up.

Mine hate it when it is cold and gusty. Snow is ok if there isn't wind.

But in general mine stay in the coop for MONTHS, which is why my coop connects to my greenhouse... and yes, lots of square feet per chicken. At least 8.

I am familiar with the Amazon bird nets, and they are a good price. I am thinking of getting bird netting locally at our Fleet store, it's a bit smaller, but about as big as I think I will want for the pasture.

Eh... net tops are good for summer.... most winters the snow busts them down.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I am trying to persuade DH to put in another window just for summer ventilation (and some light). They will have big vents up high, but I think it will be hot in the summer, and humid, and nothing like a breeze to make it nicer.

 

[Henriettamom919]

We had between 1-2 feet of snow on the ground for nearly three solid weeks and even in that bit of time my chickens were bitter and bored. I ended up shivering and shoveling a path each day and turning over piles of dead leaves under the snow so they could forage.

Have a winter plan to give them space to roam a little and something to scratch through- even just shavings with black oil sunflower seed or oats to find.