Window Design in Coop Question

[mrskenmore]

Hi All,

I am finishing up our coop for our three lovely ladies. I have one 12" x 26" window on the right hand side (east facing) of the coop which has 1/2" hardwire cloth covering it and will have an acrylic window in the cooler/cold months. I am basing my design off of the wichita cabin coop. We are in the process of fabricating the door to the coop for access/cleaning etc and will be putting a second window there. This side of the coop faces south. My question is, where should I locate the second window on the front south door? Should it mirror the one on the side? or should I put it down low so the girls can see out during the day. I also thought about doing a vertical window to address both issues. Just not sure as I know they need ample ventilation...and wanted to know if aligning the windows up top was the way to go, or letting them get a glimpse of light on the bottom was good. They have a run off of the coop that they will have access to during the day- there is a door that will close them off at night.

Thanks for any suggestions and tips!

 

[6of6chicks]

I think there's pros & cons either way. If you mirror it with the old window it will help bring in cross breezes and keep the coop airy. But if the roost is on the same level as the windows, you don't want them in the cross breeze while they are sleeping - I've read that's bad. However, if you cover one of the vents in winter, then that point is moot I guess. Designing a coop makes your head spin, doesn't it, lol! In the end I think it's just whatever you prefer.

Personally, I'm glad I put a window that is eye-level with the birds. They LOVE the window. Even with access to the run during the day they will still pile up in front of the window and spend a few hours lounging & looking out (at the run, of all things!). And every morning they line up at the window and start banging away on it when they see me coming to open the door. Cracks me up. With the way your window faces your chickens might like to be able to see you coming each morning, too. They'll greet you with loud yells to hurry up and get your butt out there and get the door open!

 

[mrskenmore]

Thanks for the advice! and yes- my head is spinning with ideas and thoughts for all of the details! Thankfully I have this site to constantly research my decisions! We have a patio there and it would be nice to have interaction with them if they are in the coop- hence the thought for a window down low. I agree with the cross breeze though of having the two windows up top. Do they always hangout on the roosts all day if they don't feel like going out in the run? Because if so then the window down low would be a moot point unless the roost was there. Also, we just lost a japanese maple over the spring so I was going to use the branches as roosts. thoughts? I know a lot of people swear by a 2 x 4 with rounded corners, but I figured chickens roosted in trees long before man came along and made them 2 x 4's!!

Thanks!

 

[Talonstorm]

Mine love looking out the window too! If they see anything going on outside the coop, they run up the little ramp and stare out the window. There are a few girls in particular that are super nosy, lol.

 

[mrskenmore]

Okay- so that is to votes for doing the window down low so the girls can look out when they are on the floor of the coop

this is great!

any more voters?

Window up high- 0 votes
Window down low- 2 votes

Thanks all!

 

[6of6chicks]

Thanks for the advice! and yes- my head is spinning with ideas and thoughts for all of the details! Thankfully I have this site to constantly research my decisions! We have a patio there and it would be nice to have interaction with them if they are in the coop- hence the thought for a window down low. I agree with the cross breeze though of having the two windows up top. Do they always hangout on the roosts all day if they don't feel like going out in the run? Because if so then the window down low would be a moot point unless the roost was there. Also, we just lost a japanese maple over the spring so I was going to use the branches as roosts. thoughts? I know a lot of people swear by a 2 x 4 with rounded corners, but I figured chickens roosted in trees long before man came along and made them 2 x 4's!!

Thanks!

Mine don't hang out on the perches during the day (they sleep there at night, but don't get up there in the day). They just lay down on the litter in front of the window. I swear they look just like cats sitting in a window seat.

As far as the roosts - there's loads of debate of over how the perches should be done. I've seen lots of people say 2 x 4's are the best, especially in climates that get snow & hard freezes. 2 x 4's allow the bird to fully cover their toes, thus preventing frostbite. Other folks say round branches are better to let the toes curl naturally. Personally, I don't have to worry about freezes or snow, but I DO have heavy breeds - so I went with 2 x 3's. Wide enough to give them a good base, but still let the toes curl a bit. My other reason for using lumber was so that I could paint it - makes for easier cleaning. But again - I think it's just personal preference.

By the way - don't think I said this before, but your coop is GORGEOUS! I love the color scheme - very country French / Provence-style.

 

[mrskenmore]

That is food for thought, I live on Long Island and we had our fair share of polar vortexes last winter... I will have to do some more research. It may be nice to have painted wood. Thanks for the compliment! The grey will one day match our house when we redo the siding (yes the chickens get the new siding before mom and dad!) and the yellow was a wrong color choice on my part 10 years ago for a bedroom- hence they get the sunny color now!

do you have any pics of your coop and window? I am leaning towards doing it lower because I know my girls and they love to look out!

 

[mrskenmore]

So I did some quick sketches of the three window options...

1. window up high (good cross ventilation, chickens can't see out)
2. window down low (may have poor cross ventilation and be drafty?, chickens can see out)
3. window vertical (combines the best of both I believe)

So I think we will be going with the vertical window on the hinge side of the door- please let me know your thoughts or comments and pros and cons!

This site rocks!

Thanks!

High


Vertical


Low

 

[6of6chicks]

I vote vertical!

 

[mrskenmore]

hahaha! Glad to see we are on the same page 6of6chicks!