We finally got our roosts put into the coop, but they are built about the same height as the windows, and the roosts parallel the window. I closed the window because I was concerned about drafts. Was this the right thing to do, or is it ok to leave it open? It's really not very windy here, but the night time temps are going to be in the 50's and 60's this week because a cold front is moving in. Thanks.
It's not the temp, it's the draft that they should be sheltered from. I hope your coop has another means of ventilation so the humidity can escape.
I live in Oregon and I leave my 2 windows open, and the night time lows here are high 30's to low 40's. When it gets freezing or below, then I will close the windows. The lower roost in my coop is right by the 2 windows. With your lows in the 50's and 60's your chickens will be fine. Make sure you have good ventilation also, high up in your coop.
Quote:So it's okay if there's a draft as long as it's not a freezing cold draft? We have 4 windows and an attic fan for ventilation. Honestly I hadn't read the boards closely regarding ventilation while we were building, so I probably do not have enough. I think we could easily put more in the coop if it becomes a problem this winter. So far it's not been an issue. Thanks for the advice!
By "attic fan" do you mean one of those 10" (more or less) fans that are used now instead of the old turbines on roofs? I ask because to me "attic fan" means a big old-fashioned fan that pulls air through the house and up into the attic (yeah, well, I'm old as dirt, what can I say). If it's the old fashioned kind, Take that thing out of your coop and send it to me! But if its the "new" kind, then you probably need more ventilation up top.
I think your windows are fine as long as the temps stay in the 40s or higher. I'd definitely close them if it were to go lower than that and use higher placed ventilation. My windows are at roost height, and I did lower them halfway last night (dipped to the 50s). When the nights drop into the 40s, I'll probably close mine at night and open them up during the days... Now when the days start getting down to the 40s, the windows will probably stay shut...lol...cause I'm such a worrier.
Even in mild temperatures like 40's and 50's, I think it's good to have an area on the roost where chickens can avoid having a draft blow directly on them if they choose to. If there's a way to block the bottom of the window and leave only the top part that's above roost level open, that would be good. Oh, another thing. If you use a fan in your coop, check it frequently for the accumulation of dust that can clog and burn out the motor, potentially creating a fire hazard.
I mispoke. It's not an attic fan. It's a ventilation fan that we took out of my m-i-l's attic when she remodeled it into a bedroom. I wish I had an attic fan in my house! With our cool temps the past few days, it feels great outside, but is still stuffy in the house even with the windows open. And I don't consider myself older than dirt, though I'm sure my nieces and nephews do. Right now I have the window that is on the same wall as the coop closed just in case, but I still have the other three windows of the coop open. We don't get much wind around here. Thanks for the advice elmo. The fan is looking rather dusty already. Guess I need to get the step ladder out and clean it off. I was really unprepared for how dusty my coop would get. I expected lots of poop but not dust. Live and learn!
