Screen window or no?

[Bear1978]

So I have this big window on the back of my coop. It will NOT be in the covered and fenced enclosure part of the coop but on the “unsecured” side is the coop facing a vacant lot where they are currently building a house.

I was going to build a screen hinges window with 1/2 19 gauge hardware cloth so I could leave it open with the screen shut and secured during the day to give the coop a nice breeze when it’s hot out and close the existing wooden door over it at night, etc. BUT I’m wondering if that’s a good idea as we do have coins and other critters who would love an opportunity to snag a chicken when no one is looking. I’ve seen foxes and coyotes during the day. And we have a stray dog that will stroll through the yard occasionally. If not I’ll just leave it a solid door with no screen.
Thoughts??

 

[swamphiker]

I would just screen it with hardware cloth. Why risk it? Hardware cloth won't block a good breeze.

 

[Bear1978]

Yes, I was going to make an inside frame for it but I may just make a 2ft by 2ft cut out and then use the actual cut out as the door to go over the screened in portion. But I’m questioning if that’s a safe thing to do seeing how this window is not secured by the run but on the unsecured wall of the bard that’s exposed to my yard. Seeing how we have beasties that roam around during the day and hoping that hardware cloth would keep them out if they so choose to try to get in through that window.

I should add that this was also going to be the entry point to get to the nesting boxes which are positioned right below this window. I intended to use this window opening as a way to check for eggs without having to go into the coop. So it need to have a accessible opening.

 

[Bear1978]

See the pic from inside the coop with the same window closed.

 

[Folly's place]

Your coop does need ventilation, and light, and so window openings somewhere, covered in well secured hardware cloth will be needed.
Mary

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have hardware cloth on my windows. Most of mine are not in the secured run. I used the screws and washers on some but don't like the sharp wire edges so others I tacked the hardware cloth in place and secured by adding 1x(whatever I had on hand) wood over the raw wire edges.
It is very secure. I have raccoons here too. Zero have gotten in the coops.

My duck house has the hardware cloth secured to the structure frame with siding over that.
I leave all their windows open all summer day and night.

 

[Bear1978]

Thanks guys! I have windows on the front that are covered with 1/4in, 19’gauge HW cloth. Those are within the run area.

do you think that same size cloth will work for this window being out of the run area?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have used both 1/2" and the thinner 1/4" on the windows here.

Personally I think either will work but know it is recommended to use the heavier guage.
It is a judgement call. If you think a critter may try to enter through the window use the heavier guage.

 

[Bear1978]

Yeah, I’ll have some 1/2 I can put on there.
I’ll make it a 2x2

thanks!