Windows Question

[Falcon_uk]

Hi all
As I am brand new to this forum and new to keeping chickens I hope I can gain a lot of knowledge from you veterans , I have been reading plenty from here and picked up quite a lot of information , O.K I have nearly finished my coop and run but I’m unsure if I need any windows in the coop. I plan on letting the chickens out into the coop every day and shutting them in through the hours of darkness , I do not have any windows in yet , Just a open and closed door into the run , Also the coop is nor air tight so do i need to put in any extra vents and if so what position
Many thanks for any advice and I hope to be a long stay member.
I am situated in the midlands in the UK

 

[tsiecz]

This is the place for all your answers and the people are wonderful here.
Still working on my first coop.I had the same question like you. The more windows the better, natural sunlight is good.I am adding two more windows.Make sure that if the windows open they are covered with hardware cloth. Make the coop as large as you can.If you plan on say 4 chickens build it for 8. As far as vents keep them at the top of the coop, because chicken create a very humid environment, the air needs to circulate.Plan for alot of ventilation. Hope this helps.

 

[KrisH]

Sunlight is a natural disinfectant, so light is good, also bugs and mold like dark damp places. Light also makes cleaning and checking for eggs easier.

Robert

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum!

Glad you joined us!

I don't know what size coop you have but I recommend a window anyway. Not for ventilation, but for light. If your coop is big enough for you to walk in it, you need to be able to see what you are doing with the door closed. You may have an electric light, but I'd want natural light anyway.

But even if it is too small for you to get in it, you still need light. The chickens need to be able to see how to go to bed. If it is too dark in the coop, they may not want to go in there to go to bed when it gets dark outside.

In the Midlands, you will see freezing weather. The danger is frostbite, not them freezing to death. With their down coat, they can actually handle cold weather pretty well. But if the air is moist, frostbite is a real danger whenever it gets below freezing. The moisture comes from their poop and their breath. Wind chill is also a factor. The way you handle this is to have lots of ventilation, but put it higher than they roost so any drafts are above them. I keep chickens in an unheated walk-in coop with the outside temperature occasionally getting below zero degrees Fahrenheit or (-) 17 C. My roosts are about 4 feet high and my vents are over 8 feet high.

 

[jtbrown]

I also recommend a few windows, that breeze was nice to get any smells out of coop in summer, plus the light is ivaluable. Just a suggestion, I went to the guy that put new windows in our house a few years ago, picked up some effective and cheap used windows for coop. Worth a try

 

[ECBW]

Honestly, I cant see not having windows. Aside from letting light in (important for health and egg production), windows allow me to spy on them. I repurposed windows from renov dumpsters. Hinged them at the top so when opened, they function as awnings to keep rain out.

 

[slurrywidow]

I also have "windows" in my coop and agree with the other suggestions you've been given. My windows aren't even real windows but seeing how much my chickens seem to enjoy them, I wouldn't have a coop with out them. One of my coops is small, just 4x4 so instead of dealing with a real window (I had no luck finding anything that would fit that small, and I looked for a long time) I just bought some plexi-glass and attached it to a strong wooden frame I made. My hens sometimes push and shove to be the one that gets to sit in front of the window to look out and the side of the roost closest to the window is the coveted spot. I vote for windows.

Good ventilation is a must! Chicken poo creates so much "bad moisture" in the coop. You really need lots of ventilation to move that moisture out. Good luck with finishing your coop and have fun with your chickens.

 

[simplynewt]

My 1st coop that I am about finished building is also small (4' x 4') so I fabricated the windows I have in it with plexi-glass. They are directly across from the nest boxes so I can see if there are any surprizes awaiting me before I lift the nest box cover to collect the eggs. I dislike snakes and would rather know beforehand of any in a nest box before I go reaching into it. The roost will go just off the wall the windows are located at so visualation of the nest boxes with hens roosting might prove to be cumbersome. After reading this thread, I will probably add a couple more windows, 0ne in the front and one in the back for better viewing coverage and allowing for more natural light to enter the coop.

I added two vents to the coop which I placed near the top of the coop on the front and back. I will wait until after I have had my 4 hens for a while before I decide if more ventilation is needed.

 

[SteveBaz]

no windows in mine but I do have 2 vents that swing up and stay up for fresh air or heat build up to excape. If I want a lot of air I open both if I want less I open the one not facing the wind to prevent a draft. Open both on hot days to allow for air flow

Steve

 

[Falcon_uk]

Many thanks for all the info , I have been away for a week so unable to add replies, I have finished the coop and I will upload photos when I figure out how. I have put a large window in made from clear Perspex and I will say it looks pretty good. As I only have a small garden and the total size of the coop and run is 4 meters I have had to have the coop on the patio and the run on the grass , My main concern is will I get rodents venturing into my house as it is only 3 foot from my patio door ?? . This is my last concern I think before I purchase my hens , Also I have fully glossed inside my coop as to aid easy cleaning. Is it worth my getting the hens just before winter as I’m told that they will not lay through the winter . Sorry for so many questions but you guys are my only help as I’m going into this blindfolded

Many many Thanks