Does my coop need to have power?

[TheMonroeChicks]

I am just beginning with BYC. Our chicks arrive next week, and coop being put up shortly after. Where the coop will be, however, does not have an outlet near it. I live in Southern California, so freezing isn't an issue, but what about light inside the coop? Battery operated lights?
Also, presently not doing an automatic coop door. Is it sunrise that the ladies need to be let out every day?
TIA!

 

[Hope Hughes]

I have never had ELC in our coop before but I will put it in our new coop just so I can put a fan in it on hot days (we are in FL) and I have a big brooder/nursery set up in there that will need power. but they do Not need a light in the coop. You can out one in there for you if it is dark but they don't need it for themselves. They will want out at sunrise and some will go up just before dark or maybe even sooner then that. Mine go in at night in different groups at different times.

 

[dunnmom]

It's really a matter of preference for most people. I do not have power in my coop. Then again, I don't mind if my hens take breaks from laying eggs due to less daylight or extreme temperatures.

In Oklahoma where my chickens and I live, a powered coop is an unnecessary luxury. I've never had to heat it, cool it, or have artificial daylight. My coop and run are connected and predator proof, so I have no need for locking my hens up at night.

My coop doesn't even have a closing door because my hens hate not being able to get out when they want. One morning they panicked bad enough to cause injury, so I leave it open at all times now.

 

[imnukensc]

No power in my coop here in the midlands of SC. It gets hot here, too, but since chickens don't sweat a fan is not going to cool them off unless you also have misters to actually cool the air down. Hot air is hot air. It doesn't matter how fast it's moving.

 

[Hope Hughes]

It's really a matter of preference for most people. I do not have power in my coop. Then again, I don't mind if my hens take breaks from laying eggs due to less daylight or extreme temperatures.

In Oklahoma where my chickens and I live, a powered coop is an unnecessary luxury. I've never had to heat it, cool it, or have artificial daylight. My coop and run are connected and predator proof, so I have no need for locking my hens up at night.

My coop doesn't even have a closing door because my hens hate not being able to get out when they want. One morning they panicked bad enough to cause injury, so I leave it open at all times now.

We just left Oklahoma after 3 years here with chickens and we had our coop kinda the same way we never shut them up they hate being locked in and was open to the elements except when we had the really bad winter the first year and we had eggs year round and never any issues with anything.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

My current coop is the first I've had that has electric in it. I have to admit it is rather handy and definitely allows for some luxuries (heated waterer, brooding in the coop, light that is not a flashlight), but I - and my flocks - got by just fine without it for many years. It's by no means a necessity, but it's nice if possible

 

[dunnmom]

Now, I know Southern Ca. battles with heat, so I think if you want to give them a little luxury, you could spoil them with misters and a wading pool in the summer. I think most chickens spend most of their day outside of the coop, and only go in to roost, lay, or brood. As far as I know they prefer darkness for the first two things, which is why I don't have artificial lighting in coop.

 

[Hokum Coco]

No power in my coop. I live in Canada keeping water thawed is an issue. A supplemental feeder of whole corn seems to meet all their needs in Arctic conditions that can last for some times a week or more. Temperatures reaching -40º.
Ground fault outlets is absolutely a necessity especially if running an extension cord to your coop. Also a safety chain in addition to any mounted heat lamp or incandescent bulb would be wise. These two precautions would go a long way in preventing coop fires which seem to occur every year on this site.

 

[Swiftbow]

Colorado here. We only have a water heater. They seem to have done well!

We typically let them out around 9-10 am. They're up well before that, but we're not, so they wait. Hasn't been a problem as yet, but our coop isn't very crowded, either. The roof is clear plastic, so I think that helps with any light issues.

 

[Sublight]

I will have power in my next coop, and water ran out to it.
Not for fans, or heaters, because a fan is useless. --Chickens don't sweat, so the fan can only cool (OR HEAT) the chickens to the ambient temp of the air around them. If you blow 100 degree air onto them, then you will actually heat up the chickens (remember they don't sweat). Mabe a attic fan, just to move the hot air out of the coop.

But Ive wanted to put things in such as powered rat killing traps, or a baby monitor to watch to see if rats are getting into my (supposedly sealed) coop.
Ill get some "direct burial" wire, probably 12-2 cause I don't need much power, I think this runs on a 20 amp breaker if memory serves. Ill have to look it up later.

I told my dad this and he said he wished he had ran it years ago. Besides it doesn't cost much, a breaker, some direct bury cable, and a GFI inside your shop.