Electrical wires and chickens

[Yellowcoop1]

When I build my coop I plan on running electric out to it by winter. My question is do chickens do alright with electrical cords in the coop? Of course I would put outlets and plugs high up out of the way of liquid and chickens, but the cords will probably at their reach. Do they peck at things like this (they won't be red or bright colors).

 

[meralgia]

I have to provide electricity to my coop per City rules. If you run the underground feeder to the bottom of the coop where you install the GFCI and cover, is the cord for the light long enough to run on the outside of the coop so there isn't any danger of pecking?

 

[WalnutHill]

We have the main power to the coop via buried cable fed by GFCI circuit. Once in the coop, we distribute the power via 3 wire commercial quality extension cord securely fastened to the ridge pole of our "gabled hoop house" type coops. We then use triple taps for heat lamps, stock tank heater (winter), heat tapes, fans, lights, etc. As long as there are no dangling wires, the chickens don't pay any attention to them. But if the plug of an idle heat lamp is hanging, they will leap at it to pull it.

Where they can reach the cord from the roost, once they examined it (by pecking, of course), and found it presented no food value, they very quickly lost interest. The occasional rodent, especially chipmunks, don't lose interest as easily so keeping wiring high and secure helps.

Be sure your circuits are protected by GFCI and circuit breaker. If we had a wooden frame building, we'd have wired it conventionally with armored cable and metal boxes.

 

[Ridgerunner]

They might peck at them but if you use materials suitable for outdoors they shouldn’t be able to do any damage to themselves or the wiring. The problem I’ve had when running an extension cord to my built-in brooder is that they may fly up to try to perch on a drooping cord. That caused the cord to unplug. I fastened them to the wall and ceiling with clamps so they couldn’t try perching on them. I really don’t worry about pecking. I suggest you use outdoor fixtures, even inside. That way you can close them to keep the dust out and you worry a lot less about water and chickens.

Meralgia, you might consider putting a breaker box down there, then running separate lines for lights and sockets. Hardwire the lights with a switch, one light inside the coop and one outside on separate switches. A socket you can plug into comes in handy for so many different things. I can put a heat source in my brooder or plug in different electric tools. You are a loot less likely to burn something down or get an electric shock this way.

 

[Yellowcoop1]

Thanks for all the examples/advice. I would use heavy duty wiring and clamp it all securely to beams and such not allowing for any hanging. I would use a GFCI for sure. My husband used to intern with an electrician when he was young. Just wanted to make sure they wouldn't peck at it over and over.....