When to close the windows

[mrbstephens]

At what temperature should I cover the windows to the hen house at night? I have plexi glass and wasn't sure when I need to put it over the windows to keep the chickens warm at night. Thanks!

 

[speckledhen]

Do you have other ventilation than the windows? They need lots of ventilation due to the wet poop and their breath, especially in winter or you get frostbite. Chickens handle cold better than heat, generally. Someone from your locale ought to be able to tell you when it's cold enough to cover your windows. My high-on-the-wall vents stay cracked all winter, and it gets to less than 5 degrees here where I am in the mtns in the dead of winter.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

In winter I only close mine at night - and that being said, I have other ventilation in there. My chicken freerange during the day year round - I figure if they can stand to go out in it, then their coop can stand be aired out with windows open.

I only close the ones on the windward side - to keep the heavy breezes out. And even then I might leave it cracked a little.

Of course, up in New York you have a lot more blowing snow and such than I have, but I would still just watch your chickens and see how they do in the weather. Maybe put a thermometer in the coop and check temps at various times of day.

If your coop is large enough, then perhaps you can have a spot where they can get warmer than if they are up on the perches and such - like a "coop" within the coop - see if they choose that or their regular place to hang out.

meri

 

[mrbstephens]

Quote:
There are vents along the length of the coop on both sides right under the roof that will stay open. Here is a pic of it when it was being built. You can see where the open space is that is covered with 1/2 inch hardware cloth. It has a length of wood over the front to keep out rain. It's like this in the back of it too. You can also see where the two windows are that also have the hardware cloth. There is a frame around the windows that the plexi glass fits into.

 

[scooter147]

I have two cross vents at the top I leave open year round. they are about 6 inches by 9 inches
I close my windows when the temp. goes below 30 degrees.
The one poster is correct, chickens can handle the cold much better then the heat. Just make sure they are not roosting in a draft.
I can't remember if I have every lost a bird in the cold weather, I will lose at least one a year in the extreme heat.
From what I can see of your coop I would block off the all but one of the vents at the top and leave one open at the opposite end of where they roost and they should be fine.
I little cracked corn before bedtime helps as well.

 

[speckledhen]

If it was me, personally, I'd cover them when the temps got into the lower 40's or upper 30's, if you have standard breeds. That's just me, but nothing is written in stone. Be better if you could hinge the plexiglass in a frame so you could open them on warmer winter days, I think. With that much ventilation at the top and the pop door open, you'll have enough air flow, I'd think, though, as long as the coop isn't overcrowded (more birds=more moisture)

 

[gritsar]

My coop has two large windows, 4'x8' and 4'x approx. 5'. I have ventilation at the roof level.
I don't close the shutters over the windows until temps. drop into the 40s. Even if it is 40 in the daytime, if the sun is shining I only close them at night.

 

[mrbstephens]

The plexi glass is easy to slide over the windows. So, I should cover the windows at night when temps go into the 40s. I can uncover them during the day when temps go back up. It's no trouble.....really easy to do. Thanks everyone!