Extension cord question

[PirateGirl]

Thanks @PirateGirl ! I was thinking of running the extension cord inside the coop through one of the vent openings, then doing a drip loop inside to protect it from dripping moisture and attaching it to the wall away from the vents. I like those covers though, I can add one as well, just in case. I want to keep the waterer inside the coop though, for the inevitable days when the chickens can't or don't want to go outside. I want them to have access to water at all times. This waterer is fully closed on all sides and has horizontal nipples, so it shouldn't evaporate a lot of water into the air.

I really like the solar light/lantern idea! I'll definitely look into that.

Hmm... From what I understand, nipples are prone to freezing in winter... I'm not sure that can be avoided, you can probably keep the main container from freezing, but not sure about the actual nipples.

Also IMHO there's rarely if ever a day they "can't" go outside. I live in a pretty harsh environment with winter most of the year, and the chickens almost always go out for at least part of the day. The only times they stay in are 70mph wind days with ground blizzard conditions, in which case I modify things for them until the storm passes. If it's below zero and not windy, they will head out on their own. If it's snowing, they will head out on their own eventually (though they prefer if I clear a path). But that is your call. I like to leave the door open and give them the option of going out 365.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The chickens' feathers insulate them pretty well from cold, at least at our temps, as long as they do not get wet, so we do not need a heat lamp here, but everyone must consider their own environment, weather and situation.

We do have a heated bucket to keep their water from icing over in winter, which we keep outside the coop. The cord connections of course are also outside the coop and we have something like what @PirateGirl showed where the connections are to keep them dry. But I like hers better, so off to Home Depot I shall trot to go find those!

 

[Alaskan]

I think the nightlight is totally unnecessary. You can use a headlamp or flashlight when going to the coop at night, no electricity required. You can have a battery powered light or lantern you switch on from time to time if you need to go to the coop in the dark. My personal favorite (since it's dark soooooo dang early in winter) is a solar powered motion sensored light on the coop. When I approach, it turns on. I hang it on a nail and when needed I can take it off and shine it into the coop or any other direction. It shuts off after I walk away and recharges the next day. Easy. In terms of your heated water dish... they make this extension cord connection covers, so it will keep the snow, etc. out of your connection. I like to hang my cord in a way that the connecting point can't be buried in snow as well. I also put the heated water dish outside in the run NOT inside in the coop (extra moisture plus cold is a recipe for frost bite) and this keeps the electricity out of the coop itself.

View attachment 1868856

Cool covers!

I use duct tape.

I have lots of rodents up here ... they haven't ever chewed on my cords.

If your days get shorter than 8 hours, AND you get cold (close to or below zero F), I would recommend a light on a timer. Otherwise it is hard for the chickens to get enough time to eat.

I do clamp, duct tape and wire all of my cords down securely... in case a bird tries to perch on one, etc.

I have been using extension cords for water heaters for over 10 years up here... just fine.

But DO check the connections regularly.

 

[Criticalicious]

Yes, the water nipples are prone to freezing on a normal bucket and those were brought inside for the winter. But the Premier 1 bucket is insulated and intended for winter conditions. It worked perfectly and my chickens had water all winter.

 

[aart]

I read a few threads on the subject and they seem to vary between "you'll be fine" and "your coop will burn down"

Both/either could be true.
Keep connections to a minimum, both inside and outside coop, keep any connections in coop free of dust, and outside connections waterproof.

Maybe also a small night light inside the coop, providing just enough light for me to collect eggs in the dark days of winter

Get a head lamp.

I've use a long heavy duty cord to power my coop for 6 years now, it's buried most the way, and plugged into an outdoor GFCI(there's another better kind of protection outlet-can't remember what it's called thoAFCI) goes into coop thru the floor, then to a power strip with surge protection.