electricity?

[arabookworm]

how does one install electricity in a coop? cuz I'm going to have to put a heat lamp in there this winter, or just wait til spring to put the chickens in the coop once they hatch (if they hatch

)

I'm not too thrilled with the idea of living with birdpoop for the rest of the winter, so any advice would be appreciated.

 

[zatsdeb]

you need to run the heavy duty wire, my DH buried it underground to the chicken coop, then put lights in, light switch, and outlets.
do you know anyone who is an electrician?

 

[redoak]

I have a 100 foot outdoor ext cord going to my coop, plugged into an exterior outlet behind the garage. Not really a wired coop but it does the job.

 

[bdp7150]

I US E A EXTENSION CORD FOR MY COOP AND PUT A PLUG SPLITER SO I CAN RUN THE HEAT LAMP AND THE HEAT TAPE FOR THE WATER AND USED THE WIRE NAILS WITH PLASTIC HOLDER TO HOLD IN PLACE AND KEEP OUT OF CHICKENS WAY . IF YOU INTEND TO USE EXTENSION CORD MAKE SURE IT IS A HEAVY DUTY FOR THE ELEMENTS OUT SIDE .

 

[Mac in Wisco]

An extension cord is going to be the easiest. Use a quality, outdoor rated, 12 AWG extension cord. 100' cords like this cost around $75. If you are going more than a few hundred feet or expect a large load like multiple heat lamps, then it's better to have a underground service installed.

 

[arabookworm]

are these cords those thick green cords contractors use? cuz we have some of those.

would it be buried, or just laying on the ground?

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Could be green, depends upon the brand. Don't bury it, they won't stand up to that. I run mine along the top of a fence or you could just lay it on the ground.

 

[arabookworm]

would there happen to be laws regarding unqualified people wiring electricity?

 

[Mac in Wisco]

It depends upon your local building code. Typically you need a permit for that work. You would submit a plan of what you are going to do along with application for permit. After it is approved you either wire it yourself, as the homeowner, or you hire a licensed electrician. The work will then be approved by the local building inspector.

This is more likely if live in a municipality, if you live in a rural area there may or may not be a permitting and inspecting authority.

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

Quote:
dont ask dont tell...unless you have an inspector living next door or a neighbor that has it in for you.

we are lucky around here...if its an "Agricultural building" you dont need permits. But we buried it anyway. (those chickens gotta have a light, a night light, and a working heater...so DH thought)


but yeah for just a heat lamp use a outdoor extension cord, of you plan to bury it then make sure and run it through conduit or something.

~Tiff~