6 Best Chicken Coop Windows For Natural Light That Old Farmers Swear By
Boost flock health with optimal sunlight. Discover 6 farmer-approved coop windows that maximize natural light, improve ventilation, and aid egg laying.
You can tell a lot about a chicken keeper by their coop windows. A dark, stuffy coop often houses a listless, unhealthy flock. But a coop filled with natural sunlight is usually home to active, dust-bathing, and productive birds.
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Why Natural Light is Crucial for a Healthy Flock
Sunlight isn’t just about letting your chickens see their feeder. It directly drives their biological rhythms, kicking off a cascade of hormonal responses that regulate everything from egg-laying to foraging. Without adequate daylight, a hen’s system simply doesn’t get the signal to ramp up egg production.
A daily dose of UV light allows chickens to synthesize their own Vitamin D3. This is non-negotiable for proper calcium absorption, which is the cornerstone of strong eggshells and healthy bones. Weak shells and lethargic hens can often be traced back to a coop that feels more like a cave than a shelter.
Beyond the birds themselves, sunlight is the best free disinfectant you can get. It dries out damp bedding, reducing the ammonia smell and killing harmful bacteria and mold spores before they take hold. A sunlit coop is a cleaner, healthier coop, which means less work and fewer problems for you.
Shed Windows and More 14×21: The Classic Choice
When you just need a simple, reliable window, the standard 14×21 shed window is the answer. You can find them at any big box store or lumberyard, they’re affordable, and they fit easily between standard 16-inch on-center wall studs. There’s no guesswork involved.
These windows are workhorses. They typically feature a single pane of safety glass or plexiglass and a built-in screen for basic ventilation. The small, sliding pane is just enough to let a breeze through on a warm day without creating a major draft. It’s a balanced, no-fuss solution that provides ample light for a small-to-medium-sized coop.
The tradeoff for this simplicity is security. The included screens are often flimsy aluminum, designed to keep out bugs, not raccoons. You must reinforce the opening with 1/2-inch hardware cloth on the inside or outside of the frame. This classic window gets the job done, but it requires one crucial modification to be truly predator-proof.
Tafco Jalousie Window for Superior Ventilation
A jalousie window, with its series of overlapping glass slats, is the undisputed champion of airflow. You can crank the slats open to catch a cross-breeze while the angled glass keeps a light rain from getting in. This makes them invaluable in hot, humid climates where managing moisture and heat is a constant battle.
This level of control allows you to fine-tune the environment inside your coop. On a hot afternoon, you can open them wide. On a cool, damp morning, you can crack them just enough to let humidity escape without chilling the flock. They offer a degree of ventilation management that a simple slider window can’t match.
However, more moving parts mean more potential problems. The crank mechanism can wear out, and the small gaps between slats can be an entry point for drafts or pests if they don’t seal perfectly. They require more cleaning, but for those in the South, the superior ventilation is often worth the extra maintenance.
DIY Plexiglass Slider: A Predator-Proof Design
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For the keeper who prioritizes security and customization, nothing beats a homemade plexiglass slider. This design is less a window and more a fortified opening. You build a simple wooden frame and create two channels for two overlapping pieces of plexiglass to slide past each other.
The key to this system is what you do with the opening itself. Before installing the plexiglass slider on the inside of the coop, you cover the entire exterior opening with 1/2-inch hardware cloth, secured with heavy-duty staples and screws. Predators meet an impassable steel barrier, while your chickens get all the light and air they need.
This approach is endlessly adaptable. You can make the window any size you want, fitting it into unconventional spaces. It’s also incredibly durable; plexiglass won’t shatter like glass, and with no complex mechanisms, there’s very little to break. It’s the ultimate solution for peace of mind.
Glass Block Vents: Secure and Low Maintenance
If your primary concerns are security and insulation, glass blocks are an excellent, if unconventional, choice. These are often sold as small, pre-assembled "vent" windows. Once mortared or siliconed into the wall, they are a permanent, indestructible source of light.
Glass blocks let in a significant amount of diffused light without offering a clear view into the coop, which can deter curious predators. There are no latches to fail and no glass to break. For a coop in a cold, snowy climate, they provide sunlight without the heat loss associated with a traditional single-pane window.
The major, non-negotiable drawback is the complete lack of ventilation. A glass block window is a light source only. You absolutely must pair it with a separate, well-protected ventilation system, like soffit and ridge vents. Think of it as one part of a larger system, not a standalone solution.
Reclaimed Sash Windows: The Sustainable Solution
For a touch of character and a nod to sustainability, nothing beats an old sash window from a salvage yard or renovation project. These windows were often built from high-quality, old-growth wood and can be found for a fraction of the cost of a new window—sometimes even for free.
Using a reclaimed window gives your coop a unique, rustic look that a modern vinyl window can’t replicate. They are often larger, letting in a flood of light. The ability to open both the top and bottom sashes (on a double-hung window) gives you great options for creating airflow without drafting the birds on the roost.
The charm comes with homework. You have to design your wall framing to fit the window’s specific dimensions. You’ll also need to inspect it for rot, scrape and repaint (checking for lead paint), and possibly re-glaze the panes. It’s more work, but the result is a functional, beautiful, and resourceful addition to your coop.
Playhouse Shutters: Simple Light and Air Control
Sometimes the best "window" has no glass at all. A playhouse-style shutter is simply a solid wooden cover over a hardware-cloth-secured opening. During the day, you swing the shutter open and latch it to the wall. At night, you close and bolt it for a completely secure, draft-free shelter.
This system offers maximum control over light and air. On a sweltering day, you can leave it wide open. During a blizzard, you can batten it down completely. It’s a robust, low-tech solution that is easy to build yourself with scrap lumber and a few hinges.
This is the perfect choice for an off-grid coop or for anyone who values simplicity and durability above all else. You don’t have to worry about broken glass or failing seals. You just get a secure hole in the wall that you can open or close as the weather dictates.
Final Tips on Window Placement and Installation
Where you put your windows matters as much as which ones you choose. In the Northern Hemisphere, placing windows on the south-facing wall maximizes sunlight during the cold winter months, providing passive solar heating. Avoid placing windows on the north wall, where they’ll catch the brunt of winter winds.
Position windows higher up on the coop walls. This allows sunlight to penetrate deeper into the coop and keeps drafts above the level of your roosting birds at night. Good light with no draft is the goal.
Finally, remember that every window is a potential entry point for predators and a potential source of heat loss. Always cover every opening with 1/2-inch hardware cloth, securely fastened. Don’t overdo it with glass; a coop with too many windows will be an oven in the summer and an icebox in the winter. Aim for a balance of light, ventilation, and solid, insulated wall space.
Ultimately, the best chicken coop window isn’t the most expensive one, but the one that thoughtfully addresses the needs of your flock and the realities of your climate. Get the light, ventilation, and security right, and your birds will thank you with full egg baskets.
