Coop Windows

[bufforpington42]

I'm finally building my dream chicken coop! Anyways, I don't want to stick a bunch of money into new windows so I'm making my own. Below is what I plan on doing for my windows. Hardware cloth and Plexiglas. I also included a picture of what my coop looks like now. My question is, what do you use to hold the windows up? I'm in South Dakota and the wind can get pretty brutal out here. I feel like a chain hanging from the overhang wont be strong enough but I'm not sure what else to use and make sure the window still shuts properly.

Also, should I be worried about the inevitable small cracks I'll have along the edge of the window when closed during the winter?

 

[DobieLover]

I'm finally building my dream chicken coop! Anyways, I don't want to stick a bunch of money into new windows so I'm making my own. Below is what I plan on doing for my windows. Hardware cloth and Plexiglas. I also included a picture of what my coop looks like now. My question is, what do you use to hold the windows up? I'm in South Dakota and the wind can get pretty brutal out here. I feel like a chain hanging from the overhang wont be strong enough but I'm not sure what else to use and make sure the window still shuts properly.

Also, should I be worried about the inevitable small cracks I'll have along the edge of the window when closed during the winter?

I use chains with the hook screw threaded into the underside of a rafter tail. I use medium duty chains. It works fine.
Install stops in the framing that the window will close against. I used 1x2 trim. I secure the windows around the roosts shut with a barrel bolt. Any air leakage around that isn't going to open the feathers of roosting birds so it's great for additional ventilation.
All windows are backed with hardware cloth.