my new coop - do I need a window?

[huntsman]

I'm in the middle of making my new coop, and just thought about a window...

Is this essential?

 

[kelseygirl707]

Quote:
Well some sort of ventilation is essential

 

[huntsman]

Ah, no.

I have ventilation holes, but want to know if a window is necessary from the point of view of light...

 

[Mervin]

Quote:
Would you be happy without any windows to look out from? I suppose if you have proper ventilation a window is not strictly necessary, but a chicken window could be scarcely more than a hole with heavy fence over it to keep predators out. Depending on your climate you may need a way to close it back up again.

 

[Farmington]

The coop I'm rehabbing has 2, but I am adding a third. I figure it can't hurt. I don't have electricity to the coop, so I'd like to get as much natural light as I can in there. Plus, a little more ventilation during the summer months. I say go with the window!

 

[herefordlovinglady]

I have found that even with my two windows and two ventilation vents, that the coop still gets very hot and air heavy -- i run a fan to help with circulation, but really hope to be able to add two more windows to the back of the coop for better cross ventilation. I live in georgia and we get into 95 to 100 degree summers. i am afraid it will be way too hot in the coop for them, even with a fan

 

[Ga.chickenman]

Go with windows,more ventilation !

 

[elmo]

If not for ventilation, then for light (unless your roof is made from polycarbonate panels or some such thing that allows light in). Chickens may not like to go inside a coop that's completely dark. Plus, if they have to spend much time there during bad weather, they may not lay as well without light.

 

[Shifty Joe]

My chickens fight over the best perch next to the windows and it's great for airing out the chicken smells.

 

[patandchickens]

They will lay better in shorter-day parts of the year if you have a window or two, and also a number of people have had problems persuading the chickens to go into the coop in the evening without having some better lighting in there (and it's stupid to have to run an electric nightlight on a timer, if you could just have a *window*)

Be aware that "ventilation holes" may well not be nearly enough... you need BIG OPENINGS, not anything involving a holesaw. This is especially true if the coop will be in a sunny area in a climate where your summer days often get above 80 F or so... but even just in terms of air quality (as opposed to temperature) you really do not get much air exchange with merely "holes".

Good luck, have fun,

Pat