anyone run electric to their coop? How hard is it to do?

[CARS]

I think you should listen to Jeff in CO

 

[Jeff in Colorado]

Quote:
The cheap plastic pipe they use for conduit works better as a conduit!

 

[Ken H]

As long as you use romex rated for use underground the irrigation pipe is fine. The advantage over the plastic conduit is there would be no seams or couplings.

 

[thetajmahalcoop]

wow! I expected like 2 replies on this when I posted! You guys (and gals) are AMAZING! Now... can I get some directions on how to finish my walk out basement, loft and put up a two car garage? LOL!!!!! I think I've decided those projects take precedence and will continue to use my extension cord for now :-(

 

[gsim]

I did a 240 ft run for garden and coop. I rented a trencher and set for 16" depth. Ran a 3/4" pvc water line that terminates in a hydrant in the run. Ran ordinary housewire and direct buried it. I know that it can deteriorate over time depending on composition of soil, but I am 67 yrs old, so it is likely to outlast me.

I ran a leftover piece of residential telephone interior wire too in case the chooks want some bach or strauss music piped in.

Here is a good tip if you do this: When you place the wire in the trench, pull a loop of it up to surface that will reach a foot above the surface. Do it where the gate to the pen is . That way you can have an all-weather outlet at the gate for whatever comes along later that might need a power tool in that vicinity. AND you also will have a power source for a fence-charger. I did it and am so glad I thought of it.

 

[natrgatr]

If adding electricity to the coop changes it to a taxable building, consider running electricity to a 4x4 post with an all-weather box with outlets. No connection to the coop means it's just a outdoor convenience outlet. No new taxes.

 

[CARS]

Quote:
That's a great thought!!! Love to get around those loopholes!!!

 

[kman]

Quote:
we go two foot as a rule of thumb due to tractors, trucks and other heavy equipment. also never know when you may need to dig on top of it for something the pressure say form a large track hoe will break a water pipe only 6" in the ground assuming PVC is the pipe you are using. that is just the way we do it but we have to bushhog so we go 2 ft that is why i suggested that nothing at all to do with freezing pipes as this is what i assume you mean. anyways if none of this applies to you then yes 6" would be fine. and yes if you keep the two trenches seperated by 2 or 3 feet you will be fine.

as for the warm part i wish, we are have an arctic blast right now, not no where near as cold as you but extremly cold for us the windchill will be in the single digits tonight and early tomorrow

 

[CARS]

Ahhh, ya got to love this "Global Warming"!

 

[kman]

Quote:
Not at all. LOL