electricity??

[kryptoniteqhs]

even more than heating, i want lighting (in at least one of them) because there is no windows and i dont like them being cooped up in the dark for the winter. the pvc would have to be underground.........its like theres a barn for the horses where the electricity is and the a paddock and in the paddock there are a couple of chicken coops (hard to explain or picture) so i cant run it along any building or anything......

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
I can tell you from experience that even heavy-duty pvc is going to have to be buried at least 18" belowground, more if you have real bad mud, in order to minimize the risk of horses going through it. Remember how their hooves gouge into the ground. Plus I would personally worry a lot about mice taking up residence in the pvc and then chewing on the cord -- I've seen similar type things happen.

Just cut a coupla windows in the coop

Honest, it is really easy. You can run an extension cord out there *temporarily* if you wanna use power tools, just keep the horses penned up somewhere else for the duration. Screw on a piece of plexiglass and bob's yer uncle, lighting-wise

If you want to be able to visit the chickens after dark, just get a flashlight or headlamp.

Realio trulio.


Pat

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

thats not a bad idea....only problem is the coops a little on the old side and im afraid if i cut any holes in it it might fall down lol....it looks good, you cant tell by looking at it. it LOOKS brandnew, but its not, we just painted it and it had been a while in the rain without a coat of paint lol.....anywho i did see this insulation at tractor supply to put in the pvc....it may make it narrow enough that i wouldnt have to worry about mice?.....i dont know....im building my pvc chicken feeder tomorrow......ill contemplate until i go to lows tomorrow to get the rest of what i need for that....the boys will be working on a bunch of stuff down at the barn, maybe i can get them to dig me a big old trench lol

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Here is an easy and good way to reinforce the coop while you cut windows.

Draw out where you want the window to go. Get some 1x3 or 1x4 boards. Have someone hold 'em in place (one at a time of course) around the outline of the future window while you screw them in place. Screw them in WELL, from whichever wood is thinner into whichever wood is thicker (that's from the inside if your coop walls are currently plywood; from the outside if your coop walls are currently 1-2" boards). Put in lots of screws

NOW you can cut the window hole and attach the plexiglas, because the boards you screwed in are stabilizing the opening.

Even smallish windows will admit a fair amount of light.

And MUCH MUCH MUCH safer than trying to run an extension cord across an occupied horse pasture.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Trollkiller]

If all you want is a light get a battery operated stick anywhere light.