Recommendations on window covers for the chicken coop

[Sunshine Flock]

I'm kind of stumped. I converted an old shed into a chicken coop, but I got stuck on some of the details, and with a really long, hot summer and other things that came up, I couldn't decide what to do for the window covers at night.

I've been using old boards I hang on nails and secure tight. They're not cute, but more importantly they really darken the coop. I have ventilation up high, but I would much prefer glass windows. Plexiglass is a possibility, but I'm chemically sensitive and am concerned about any off gassing from a plastics material and how it may affect the chickens (not just me).

Do you have any suggestions? I'll see if I can post a photo, but for now imagine a window built around a stud. The stud runs vertically through the middle, with a window on either side. In the gallery today someone posted a photo of the shutters they made for their coop window. No glass or plexiglass, but they did sandwich a piece of siding between trim, and it gave me the idea of doing something similar with plexiglass.

Any thoughts on how to do this? What about colder weather? Would a double layer of plexiglass accomplish anything? It gets below freezing for only a handful of days here, but we do have lots of rain.

I've got to stop putting this off and would welcome some help.

 

[cavemanrich]

I just responded to a thread that can possibly be answer to your needs. Here it is. The poster is @Pegasusi
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/enclosing-coop-for-winter.1206364/

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Baste that window in honey and hang sprigs of cilantro from the studs!

Kidding aside, I would really like to see some pics of your coop.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Baste that window in honey and hang sprigs of cilantro from the studs!

Kidding aside, I would really like to see some pics of your coop.

And hang a sign that says: "Raccoon Cafe!"

When I get the finishing details done I'll start a brag thread and send you a link.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I just read that plexiglass is considered inert and therefore doesn't outgass. I'll have to see if it passes my sniff test. Yep, shopping with me is lots of fun, I'm telling you.

But Lexan is stronger. I'm weighing the differences and will explore the costs tomorrow.

 

[Hogs and Horns]

I'm kind of stumped. I converted an old shed into a chicken coop, but I got stuck on some of the details, and with a really long, hot summer and other things that came up, I couldn't decide what to do for the window covers at night.

I've been using old boards I hang on nails and secure tight. They're not cute, but more importantly they really darken the coop. I have ventilation up high, but I would much prefer glass windows. Plexiglass is a possibility, but I'm chemically sensitive and am concerned about any off gassing from a plastics material and how it may affect the chickens (not just me).

Do you have any suggestions? I'll see if I can post a photo, but for now imagine a window built around a stud. The stud runs vertically through the middle, with a window on either side. In the gallery today someone posted a photo of the shutters they made for their coop window. No glass or plexiglass, but they did sandwich a piece of siding between trim, and it gave me the idea of doing something similar with plexiglass.

Any thoughts on how to do this? What about colder weather? Would a double layer of plexiglass accomplish anything? It gets below freezing for only a handful of days here, but we do have lots of rain.

I've got to stop putting this off and would welcome some help.

You could use hardware cloth to cover the windows. It's tough against predators, lets in light and air, and isn't too difficult to use. If you have big predator problems, you could attach rebar rods to the studs inside the window, but that seems like overkill. I like your idea of shutters. They'd look adorable too. As for heat, you probably don't need to worry about that in northern California. Birds can take the colder temps so long as they're not in a draft and their combs don't get frostbite. Good luck with your coop!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

You could use hardware cloth to cover the windows. It's tough against predators, lets in light and air, and isn't too difficult to use. If you have big predator problems, you could attach rebar rods to the studs inside the window, but that seems like overkill. I like your idea of shutters. They'd look adorable too. As for heat, you probably don't need to worry about that in northern California. Birds can take the colder temps so long as they're not in a draft and their combs don't get frostbite. Good luck with your coop!

Thank you!

I should have mentioned I have 1/2" hardware cloth on the windows already. But I need something to lock them down at night. I'd prefer to avoid a total blackout in the coop. The air vents are up high and don't throw much light, so I'm leaning toward plexiglass coverings. They're stronger than glass, I'm reading, and don't outgass. Lexan tends to yellow over time. I'll have to see what's available locally and how thick it is.

 

[Folly's place]

Why close them at night? More ventilation is a good thing! How about awnings, or awning windows, over them, to keep out the rain? Mary

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Why close them at night? More ventilation is a good thing! How about awnings, or awning windows, over them, to keep out the rain? Mary

During the intense heat of summer, I kept them open, but the windows douse the chickens with cold drafts, and then there's the safety issue. I removed the 1/4" hardware cloth so many people recommend; so easy to snap the welds, it's ridiculous. The 1/2" is much stronger but still vulnerable.

Awnings would be cute and helpful, though. Great idea!

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I used old storm windows. They are some kind of tempered glass I think, don't break too easily. These are the aluminum framed ones where you can store the screen or the glass up in the channel so good for all seasons. Hardware cloth over them of course. Screens are a bonus to intercept a few flies. These were free in my barn loft but I've seen them sitting roadside many times.