Roosts in front of window?

[tenderkat]

I am in the process of building our coop. The footprint is 4x8, with the long front tall wall facing south. I will be putting in a wide window on this side, and I am hoping to place the roost inside the coop parallel to this window. Is ther any reason this is a bad idea?

 

[Smitty's Farm]

We have a roost in front of a window on the side wall. It's not their main roost. Their main roost is along the back wall higher than their nest boxes. The side one in front of the window was an after thought. The girls love it.

I don't know what the weather is in your area, but the down fall would be not to open the window in the winter to use it for ventilation b/c the draft would flow right on the chickens. Just make sure your ventilation is higher than your roosts so your chickens are protected from drafts.

Our windows is great in the summer open for us and the girls use that roost to look out the window or to hop to their higher main roost.

 

[tenderkat]

I will have another window on the east side of the coop. My ventilation will be along the top of the rafters on the north and south side(about 18 inches above the window). I will also put gable vents(I think that is what they are called) near the ceiling on the east and west sides.

 

[Eggs-Actly]

It's not a bad idea at all. My girls actually like to be in front of the windows when its raining or cool and breezy. There are times when it's the "place to be" and they'll fight over them. I have two roosts - one if front of each window on the west side of my run. The coop is also 4x8 like your but attached to a run that is 8x12.

Here it is from the inside view

And now from the outside

 

[tenderkat]

Very cute coop!! How many chickens do you have in it? When I thought about putting the roost in front of the window, I was hoping that my girls would enjoy being up there the way you describe.

 

[Eggs-Actly]

Thanks Kat. The girls like it and it's pretty easy on the eyes too.

We have 9 girls - no boys. They do like the windows. I wasn't sure when I built it but if they didn't like sitting there the windows would still provide for some air movement. Well, the very first day I had the girls in there I looked out my window both windows had a girl roosting in front looking out. It was the coolest thing. Rushed to get my camera only to lose the moment. Now they do it so often I don't think of getting the camera.

 

[rendonhen]