Windows at roost level: would shutters fix this draft problem?

[Kaesi2020]

Hi everyone, we have an elevated coop housing six chickens. The plan we built from had the roosting bars at window level. Reading this website and books has taught me how this can be very dangerous for them as they are at window level with drafts. If we add shutters to the windows, would that be enough to solve the draft problem there? Would you completely take out the roost bars and install them down lower? Hoping the shutters would work but I'll do anything to improve the design for their safety. Thanks

 

[igorsMistress]

I don't understand the bit about drafts evetyone talks about. Chickens roost in trees, plenty of draft in those! What you don't want is rain or snow blowing in and better options for winter. I think based on your location you'll need to be able to close off windows for cold temps and the shutters won't be sufficient, but the rest of the year you might want to leave the windows uncovered. Lowering the roost wouldn't hurt if you go that route, but another option for winter needs considering

 

[Doc7]

Please post multiple angle photos of the coop to help.

inside and out if you can

 

[Kaesi2020]

I don't understand the bit about drafts evetyone talks about. Chickens roost in trees, plenty of draft in those! What you don't want is rain or snow blowing in and better options for winter. I think based on your location you'll need to be able to close off windows for cold temps and the shutters won't be sufficient, but the rest of the year you might want to leave the windows uncovered. Lowering the roost wouldn't hurt if you go that route, but another option for winter needs considering

Thanks. Do you think instead of shutters it would be best to completely board up the windows in the winter?

 

[3KillerBs]

Can you post pictures of the coop and give the dimensions?

 

[Kaesi2020]

Please post multiple angle photos of the coop to help.

inside and out if you can

Here are pictures, we are far from done and I appreciate any advice or suggestions. Dimensions are 5 by 5 ..25 square feet total

 

[igorsMistress]

Thanks. Do you think instead of shutters it would be best to completely board up the windows in the winter?

Absolutely. I'm a desert dweller but I board up the front of my coop in winter, then take off the entire front wall for summer.

The goal is ventilation though so are the windows just supplemental venting? You need ventilation even in winter but it should be above their roost so they aren't cold and don't get wet.

 

[igorsMistress]

Here are pictures, we are far from done and I appreciate any advice or suggestions. Dimensions are 5 by 5 ..25 square feet total

So the windows are the ventilation. It would be a good idea to add vents up there near the peak and/or above the windows along the sides and cover the windows in winter. You don't want moisture building up in the coop.

 

[Doc7]

Is your roof hinged?
I see a latch there. the roost bar is even with the bottom edge of the green roof, right?

what I would consider doing it it’s not much trouble, is lower the roost bar a foot or even up to 2’ if you can, and then add ventilation under the roof, meaning if it is hinged, open it 8” or so and make that the new “closed” position (it will be less steep now) and Frame out/ screen off that opening. Now your hens will be mostly below the level of the ventilation. Here is mine, my roost bar itself is probably about 4” below, and 2 feet away from, the big front window that extends the length of the roof. My climate is a little warmer.

being up high in the coop as you have it would be bad if you don’t have enough ventilation (like closing windows), that is a recipe for frost bite as their warm breath condenses and freezes all around them. Give them head room, and ventilation, And you’ll be doing awesome!

 

[3KillerBs]

You might want to do some re-construction -- raising those vents right up to the gable peaks instead of down low. Both heat and ammonia rise and need to be let out at the very top of the coop.

Extending the roof overhang to keep rain out and adding soffit vents would also enable you to close those window in cold weather.