Perches near Windows?

[Basel]

Hi,

My BF and I will be making a coop for my new chicks, and want to know if chickens like their perches to be near windows or not? Do they prefer that or do they prefer to be against a blank solid wall?

Thanks! We want to design it with help from all the knowledge here.

 

[sourland]

In my experience chickens seem more comfortable if their roosts are closer to the solid wall of the coop. Understandably they might feel more protected from predators away from the window.

 

[Nsampsel]

I don't really have any windows in mine so to say, but I have a pretty large vent area on 2 sides in 1 corner. I have 2-3 pullets who have claimed this spot as their own (it's also right above the hatch door to the run). I have a couple others who deliberately roost as far from the vent & door as possible & even snuggle up together in the furthest nest box on the solid wall. When it's cooler I find more further from the vents/door & when it's hotter they tend to be closer. Personally, I would put some close to the window & some farther away if possible. Everyone will find their nitch eventually

 

[nuchickontheblock]

I've got one girl who loves to be near the window and look out.

 

[redstarmama]

I have roosts under a window in our main coop. The girls love it! If the window is open in the summer they fight over who gets to be closest. The window tilts inward and they will roost on it if we let them! I think it depends on your chickens. Of course the window screen is covered with hardware wire so they are secure...

 

[Nsampsel]

I forgot to mention all of my vents face into my secure run so I don't have to worry about anything getting to them thru the vents while they sleep.

 

[Basel]

Interesting. Great info, thanks all.

We were planning to put perches on two sides in an "L", so to speak. One side will be against a solid wall and the other perch might have a window next to it. I guess I can see what they like. Some can look out and some won't!

I think there will be about 6' total in length for 5 large hens and 3 silkies. Will that be long enough? How much space do they need next to one another on the perch?

The silkies obviously might not want to roost or be able to get up there. We're planning to make the roosts about 3 feet high. Should I make a 2 foot high perch for the silkies or won't they like being lower?

So many things to figure out!

Thanks again!

 

[bairo]

I have one half of a sliding glass door in mine that I salvaged for a huge fixed window. My roosts run along that wall and I have never had a problem. Nice planning on the vents toward the secured run, BTW. Congrats on the coop and welcome!!!!!

 

[bairo]

Interesting. Great info, thanks all.

We were planning to put perches on two sides in an "L", so to speak. One side will be against a solid wall and the other perch might have a window next to it. I guess I can see what they like. Some can look out and some won't!

I think there will be about 6' total in length for 5 large hens and 3 silkies. Will that be long enough? How much space do they need next to one another on the perch?

The silkies obviously might not want to roost or be able to get up there. We're planning to make the roosts about 3 feet high. Should I make a 2 foot high perch for the silkies or won't they like being lower?

So many things to figure out!

Thanks again!

Your pushing it a bit on the space, but it should be ok. The silkies will probably use the lower perch to make the jump to the higher perch but that is good since 3 feet is a tad on the high side for them. You might consider a fold up ladder design since it sounds like your space might be a little tight?

 

[Nsampsel]

Some of my perches are only 3-4 inches off the coop floor. Others are about 18-20 inches (none of my coops have a ceiling over 2 1/2 ft high, even the 2 story banty coop is about 20-24 inches per story). I have 3 levels of roost to chose from in the LF coop & 1 level in each of the stories on the banty coop. I have birds who roost at all levels & some who sleep in the nesting boxes even tho there is plenty of room on the roosts. They all have their own personalities & preferences. Personally, I would offer a VERY low perch for the Silkies if possible due to the fact that they don't have feathers suited for flying & may not be able to make much of a jump once full-grown either...especially if they get a bit heavier than normal.