Would a window in the nest box prevent egg laying?

[faylen]

Hi,

I'm a first time chicken mommy, and I am wondering if putting acrylic "windows" in the nest box would prevent them from laying. I'd like to put them in as peep holes in the nest access doors so my son (5) can peek in and see if theres an egg in there, or a chicken. He doesn't want to scare a chicken when he checks for eggs so I wanted to make this upgrade for him.

Thank you in advance for any insight you may have

-faylen
urban chickening in salt lake city

 

[alicefelldown]

I'm not sure windows would be necessary. After they lay, they make a big loud I JUST LAID AN EGG!!! noise and hop out to go eat and do whatever it is chickens do all day. Your son should be able to see the eggs just laying in the boxes.

 

[firedove]

chickens usually like a small enclosed space that is safe from predators to lay so I'm not sure how they would feel about windows into the boxes since they would see outside through them making them possibly feel that the boxes were not safe. You could meet them half way and put sliding covers on the outside side of the windows so when he wanted to peek in he could slide the cover aside and look through the window. That way the girls wouldn't see the outside in their nest boxes and think about finding someplace else to lay. To cover the windows you could cut thin pieces of wood and cut them to size over the windows plus extra at the top. Put a nail at the top of the wood in the middle and get it tight enough to hold the window cover in place against the window but still loose enough to allow the wood to pivot on the nail. That way he could just pivot it out of the way to check and then slide it back into place.

 

[Junkmanme]

I can "glance" into the FRONT of my nest-boxes and see whether or not there is a chicken in there. (no FRONT "curtains")

It doesn't seem necessary to me to do anything more.

There is a nest box on either side of the coop's front door.

-Junkmanme-

 

[catdaddy66]

I don't think it's a hard and fast rule but I think hens prefer to lay in a darker and hidden type areas/nests. Something w/ a window may be too bright for their liking.

 

[kennedyscochins]

I have a cochin hen that stays in the chicken tractor all the time. I have a picture frame window directly in front of the box so you can see if she is on the nest. She has no problem with it. Lays an egg just about every day!

 

[faylen]

Thank you everyone for your insight! Guess I'd better get back to finishing that coop.

 

[sotelomary]

My coop has a small window at the opposite end of where the nest box is. My hens have no problem laying in the nest box. I love having that window. I can see exactly who's in there laying. I have a daycare/preschool in my home and the kids love peeking in there too! Of course, I do have to lift them so they can see!

Mary

 

[zoomia]

My coop's egg door is an old cupboard door with glass turned sideways. No problem with egglaying.