Windows

[Anny]

Does a chicken coop NEED a window?

Do they need light in the coop... or could I sneak by with out it. I mean they will have an attached run. I just have to figure out if I can add a window with the idea I have.


I'm planning on building my coop INSIDE my garage, with a dogrun OUTSIDE the garage for them to free range in. The coop will be Just a small box like coop, big enough for 4 chickens at most although I think i'll only get 2.

 

[FutureChickenMan]

not with the size you're going for. a vent of some sort would be good though.

 

[Anny]

Thank you! I was starting to get worried, I didn't know if my partner would be to happy about me adding a window to the garage, it's bad enough I'm adding a doggie door ;-)

 

[patandchickens]

And by "a vent of some sort", that means "a couple of good sized vents". (Depending on building size and # chickens).

Does the garage itself have windows? As long as natural light gets in there I wouldn't worry. If there is little natural light in there, though, you may not get so many eggs during fall/winter/spring, especially if you lock them in the coop at night for safety (but, even if you don't). Just another thing to consider.

If you wanted, you could probably knock thru a larger hole where the chicken door to the run will go (larger than needed for just a chicken door, I mean) and make a 'transom light' type window above it. Or heck, the chicken door itself could even be clear plastic. If the garage itself has no or poor windows.

Have fun,

Pat

 

[Chirpy]

I think you'd be happier with a window added but it's not a 'have to' type thing.

pat was right; in the winter you will get less eggs due to the decreased light in their coop. Now, almost all chickens lay less due to the natural lessening of light through the winter but you can help keep them giving more eggs by using windows to add as much daylight as possible. Also, many people use artificial light through the winter to stimulate the girls into laying all winter.

 

[Anny]

The garage it's self does have 2 windows, other side of the garage from where I want to coop to be. So if I add windows to the coop on that side, will the light creeping across the garage give a little light??

I like the idea of a "clean" door to allow light to come in.

I need to start sketching my coop out on paper so I can actually see how things are going to come together. THANK YOU!

 

[patandchickens]

I seem to recall reading somewhere, no idea where, that if you can read a newspaper without straining, it's roughly enough light for chickens from a daylength-egglaying perspective. If that helps.

Another benefit of making a window on the coop walls inside the garage is that way you could see your chickens a whole lot better!!

Seriously. That could be *useful*, no?

Pat