Roosts and Windows

[CKfarm22]

Sounds like a cozy life for your girls

Hopefully!

 

[MochaLatte]

Hey, this is a thread with a similar question... seems your plan will be great!
Thread 'install a window close to the roost is good or not?' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/install-a-window-close-to-the-roost-is-good-or-not.1475529/

 

[CKfarm22]

Hey, this is a thread with a similar question... seems your plan will be great!
Thread 'install a window close to the roost is good or not?' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/install-a-window-close-to-the-roost-is-good-or-not.1475529/

Yes this is what i was looking for! Thank you!

 

[MochaLatte]

Yes this is what i was looking for! Thank you!

Happy I could find something to help - I hope to see pics of your 5 girls and their coop!

 

[CKfarm22]

Happy I could find something to help - I hope to see pics of your 5 girls and their coop!

I will keep you in mind when we finally have it finished!

 

[McChooky]

I know open ventilation yes, but windows i’m not sure, that’s what i’m stuck on.

My chickens roost 18 " off the floor on a t shaped roost made from 2 x6's underneath the lowest vents and free from draft. Their coop also has a small "loft" area with a window in it for light but it cannot be opened and has no door .The chickens like to hop up in the loft area to look outside when they can't get outside.It has doors on the loft vents so they can be opened or closed to regulate the circulation and ventilation.The coops got 2 large open vents above the loft on both sides and they don't have doors.Ventilation is difficult to achieve in a small coop so midway into making mine I added a loft for summer months when its hot.Its got extra vents I can open.The rest of the year these stay closed.The window keeps the chickens from being locked in a dark coop after daylight. I don't always let them out by 730.This picture is not the final coop but will give you an idea of how I made mine.The window on the right is for light and the vent on the left is for circulation.This is the loft area.Th roost below the window and vent.You cant see the 3 loft vents on the back or the permanent vents in this picture because they're on the front and back.This photo is the south facing side

 

[DobieLover]

I know open ventilation yes, but windows i’m not sure, that’s what i’m stuck on.

I have windows all around the roosts specifically at roost height so the birds will have adequate ventilation during warm weather. They stay fully open from mid-April to late October and are then lowered for the shoulder seasons based on how windy and cold the nights will be.
I close them for the winter.
My winter ventilation is in the ridge, gable and soffit vents, cracked open windows away from the roosts and the two pop doors.
The total winter ventilation is about 14 sq ft.
The total warm weather ventilation is about 40 sq ft.
All the light coming in up high plus the pop doors plus the front cracked open windows are year round ventilation.

 

[3KillerBs]

My article for the Little Monitor Coop has all the heights laid out with photos showing what is, essentially, the smallest long-term viable setup that can be made (thanks to the advice of BYC members back in 2012 or so).

IMO, there should be no such thing as a non-operable window in a chicken coop because fresh air is so important for the health of a chicken's delicate respiratory system. Yes, as @DobieLover said, they should be closed in severe weather if your climate requires, but it should always be possible to open them.

I don't know if chickens need to be able to see out. They only really stay on their roosts at night while they're asleep.

I've never confined mine to their coop during the day -- though if I'm late getting out to open the pop door I will see them stretching up to peek out the monitor while they complain about my tardiness.

 

[CKfarm22]

I have windows all around the roosts specifically at roost height so the birds will have adequate ventilation during warm weather. They stay fully open from mid-April to late October and are then lowered for the shoulder seasons based on how windy and cold the nights will be.
I close them for the winter.
My winter ventilation is in the ridge, gable and soffit vents, cracked open windows away from the roosts and the two pop doors.
The total winter ventilation is about 14 sq ft.
The total warm weather ventilation is about 40 sq ft.
All the light coming in up high plus the pop doors plus the front cracked open windows are year round ventilation.
View attachment 2825312

I saw your post on another thread. How far do you have your roosts from your poop trays and how big are your poop trays??

 

[RoyalChick]

I have windows all around the roosts specifically at roost height so the birds will have adequate ventilation during warm weather. They stay fully open from mid-April to late October and are then lowered for the shoulder seasons based on how windy and cold the nights will be.
I close them for the winter.
My winter ventilation is in the ridge, gable and soffit vents, cracked open windows away from the roosts and the two pop doors.
The total winter ventilation is about 14 sq ft.
The total warm weather ventilation is about 40 sq ft.
All the light coming in up high plus the pop doors plus the front cracked open windows are year round ventilation.
View attachment 2825312

I have similar approach. I have double hung windows. In summer top and bottom are open to try and give them a little breeze.
Mine do seem to enjoy sitting on the roost and admiring the view.
Here they are at night. They all squish together but would complain if they had less space!