Getting power to the coop. Best method.

So I ran power to my coop. It seems the chickens are living better then me and I may move in with them....LOL

So I am not an electrician and ran a hodge podge of NM cable or romex if you would, only to find out not to code. I had a old spa panel at the shed near to coop and ended up tapping off that. Conduit was run properly from the spa panel to the coop underground. Then the appropriate conduit in the coop.

This includes a disconnect as the first item in the coop and two outlets.

Here are the results.


Here is the electric coming into the coop. LB fitting with #12 individual conductor for 20 amp to coop.



The power to the coop comes from my old spa panel that is 10 ft away. One breaker goes to the shed and one to the coop.



From LB outside the #12 conductors come into a box that will house a on off switch. This will cut power to all coop outlets and is required by code as far as I know. Conduit and individual #12 conductors are run in all conduit.



Here is the first outlet on the line. This will have a simple timer with a light to extend egg laying in the winter.



Here is the second outlet. This outlet will have the fan with a 70f on 78f off thermo cube. Keeps chicken cool on those hot nights we have been experiencing here on the east coast.



Here is an overview of both outlets. Notice how the conduit is neatly run. Need some straps to secure.



Here is the completed wiring with on/off disconnect switch in place. With proper nylon cover. Notice timer on first outlet on right.



First outlet complete.



First outlet with timer. I will plug in a socket adapter to the timer. The outlet in the timer is on the top of timer. This will get a 2 watt CFL bulb at 2700K of the light spectrum. You want more red then blue. So 3000K light spectrum and below is good from what I read on the subject.



Here is the other outlet complete. Notice the thermocube that activates the 9" box fan. 70f on 78f off. No more turning fan on and off manually worrying about the comfort of the chickens. The outlet below will get a 36f on 43f off thermocube for the cookie tin water heater I will be making. Waterer is directly below this outlet. I will post a separate thread when I start on that project.




So that is all. I hope this post helps others out there in their electrical needs. Remember chicken coops are considered a wet location. If you choose not to run conduit and individual conductors then UF wire must be used in its place. UF is very hard to work with IMO.


Thanks all.

Mike NJ

Looks good but I don't think the fan blowing directly on the chickens is helpful because they dont sweat. You might be better off putting the fan in the window so it circulates fresh air and brings in cooler night-time air.

The fan is up high on top of the nest box. It actually brings air in from the vents that are under the eaves and just blows it across the roof line and out the other eave across the way, So brings in outside air and moves the heat out.

The window does not open and the roost is down lower midway. The chicken like the breeze when its hot. If I did not have the fan it would be 100f plus in there and I would wake up to find dead chickens.

Here is a better inside pic.Feeder is on the door.

Nice job! I put a fan out in the coop and all my chickens fight to get in front of it! They love it!