WINDOWS for coop???

[adiekaty]

hi all,
Were in katy tx, outside of houston, We started our coop build this weekend, and I'm wondering if windows will be a good thing to add? I have some old antique windows i would love to use, however thinking the glass needs to be removed, as to not fry them over our hot summers...and hardware cloth, or chicken wire added in place? we will have ventilation all around the top of coop.
What do u experts think??? Total newbie here.. )

 

[Scott H]

Why not? Yes, and use hardware cloth, 1/2 inch. Should look cool and add light and ventilation.

 

[Kaitie09]

I can;t give you the best advise, but I have seen a lot of people from Texas doing open air coops, where 2-3 sized of the coop are open and covered in hardware cloth. If you want to have a completely enclosed coop, i would say the more winders the better, but keep them out of harsh sunlight or it will become a sauna in there.

 

[adiekaty]

thanks for the input.. I was hoping to add the windows, leaving the glass in.. but not sure thats a good idea.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Being in TX I'd think you could get away with a protected aviary type coop rather than the more traditional ones you see. People are far more frightened by cold than is really needed, it's the heat that is the real killer.

I'm on the northern boarder of the US so have an all enclosed coop with ventilation and never supply heat. My only loss of life was an all black hen during a heat wave mid summer and not being diligent enough restocking cold water for them during those days. Your on the other end of the continental US where having an entire coop side solid hardware cloth would be beneficial. Your cold months wouldn't bother a chicken as long as the open side was not facing prevailing winter wind. Something to think about before you build I suppose.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/44/texas/12830 Here is a current Texas thread you could ask those around you what they did or would suggest if they could build it over again. I bet you'll be surprised at how open and airy coops in Texas are. Might even hear of the need for shade trees and insulation under roof to repel solar heating.

 

[Alaskan]

Yep, (I am originally from Texas) I second the above post.

You want a good roof to protect them from rain, and enough walls so that the nesting boxes and perch stay dry (but a deep roof overhand could do that too) and do everything else in wire.

If you have a nice wire wall, the window could be in the middle of the wall as a windbreak/rain protection. Then you don't have to worry about it making the coop too hot.