Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: chasechicken on February 23, 2009, 11:02

Title: Hen House Window
Post by: chasechicken on February 23, 2009, 11:02

Hi everyone

A couple of weeks ago I posted some photos of my hen house during production with a few queries about the thickness of wood, insulation etc.

Now nearing completion and I've suddenly decided that it might be an idea to have a small plastic window in the roof for extra light (at the moment there's a small-ish vent at the front).  I only have the roof to fit now so it's not too late for me to change the frame slightly to accommodate a window, but just wondering if it's worth it / neccessary?

After all, the hens will be out during the day anyway, and I'm not too bothered about how many eggs I get.  If I do put a window in, it will be on the same side as the nesting box so's to keep the nesting area dark... in theory!

Also - updated photos here: http://www.rkins.co.uk/henhouse/index.php?p=15

Thanks

Darren

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: andreadon on February 23, 2009, 11:13

You're probably best not to have awindow in the house - they should only be in it when they're sleeping or laying, anyway.
A plastic window would make it too warm in the summer.
The only thing you need to worry about is ventilation near th top of the house, which you've got, so it should be fine.
Our roof is detachable, so in the summer we put a bit of wood under it to hold it open for a bit more air.
That should be all you need - or you might find they squabble in the morning when they wake up hungry before you let them out!

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: chasechicken on February 23, 2009, 11:42

Great thanks - looking at other designs they generally don't bother with windows - and good point about the summer!  Because it's winter at the moment I'm thinking of ways to keep them warm and maximise light but of course the other half of the year I'll be fighting to keep them cool and dark...

Thanks for the reassurance!

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: andreadon on February 23, 2009, 12:21

No probs.
It looks beautiful from the pictures!

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: chasechicken on February 23, 2009, 13:26

Thank you - it's getting there - will look a lot better once stained (I hope).

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: GrannieAnnie on February 23, 2009, 13:39

We've got windows in our big henhouse, because it used to be the goat shed, but I emulsion painted the windows when the chooks started to peck each other if they were inside in bad weather.

They are better off in the darkish so they cant see too well  and its nicer for them if they can lay their eggs in the dark.  Your house looks lovely, don't spoil it!!!  :)

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: Foxy on February 23, 2009, 13:43

Quote from: chasechicken on February 23, 2009, 13:26

Thank you - it's getting there - will look a lot better once stained (I hope).
[/quote

lovely looking house, looking forward to seeing it finished with chickens. What are you planning to do with the roof?

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: GrannieAnnie on February 23, 2009, 13:49

Sorry Foxy, was just playing about with making your font a bit bigger, as it was the same size as the quote.  Want me to put it back????  :)

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: chasechicken on February 23, 2009, 14:01

I'm going to clad the roof with an overhang on all sides (the front and rear will have some 38x38 to define the eaves)

Then it'll be covered in felt (although I'll do all I can to prevent red mites!) - which brings me on to another question, is there anything I can do with the felt to prevent them living in there?

I'm getting 4 ex-bat hens this Saturday so the next few evenings will be spent finishing it, and then building a basic run for them (they will free range in garden too so it won't be too big).  Is it worth adding a shelter section on the run do you think or will they just go inside?

Thanks!

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: Foxy on February 23, 2009, 14:14

thanks Grannie! :D

Chasechicken -invest in a good red mite product, like diatom for the nestboxes and poultry shield for the main house, use regulary and keep an eagle eye out and you should be fine!

Out of interest who are you getting your chooks from? ( we have a rehoming on this weekend)

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: chasechicken on February 23, 2009, 14:30

Hi Foxy - we're getting them from Peter from BHWT in Cambs... all going well (haven't had full confirmation yet though)

We're in Bucks so gonna be a good couple of hours transporting them...

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: upert on February 23, 2009, 19:17

i have a window and they fly at it like maniacs when they're in there and the door's shut and it's light out. ie before i get there and let them out. i'm going to get rid of it.

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: raeburg on February 23, 2009, 19:32

I wish I could do woodwork.  We weren't allowed at school and had to do needlework and cookery :(   I really wish I could build a house like that.

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: upert on February 23, 2009, 21:06

it's merely a case of banging in nails until it stands up unaided.

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: raeburg on February 24, 2009, 08:49

with my woodwork, there aren't enough nails in the world!

Title: Re: Hen House Window
Post by: andreadon on February 24, 2009, 13:54

Quote from: raeburg on February 23, 2009, 19:32

I wish I could do woodwork.  We weren't allowed at school and had to do needlework and cookery :(   I really wish I could build a house like that.

maybe you could do a nightclass.

I did woodwork at school and i'm still cr@p at it.