How to Get Electric Outlets in coop outside?

[Baby Chick Farm]

I would like a chicken coop of some distance from my house, but I would like to know how to supply the coop with electricity to power a heat lamp during cold winters, etc. Thanks!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I would like a chicken coop of some distance from my house, but I would like to know how to supply the coop with electricity to power a heat lamp during cold winters, etc. Thanks!

What breed(s) are you planning to keep? Very few breeds of poultry require any supplemental heating - in fact providing it can have an adverse effect on health. If a heat lamp is your sole reason for wanting to wire the coop chances are you can take that worry off your list.

 

[Folly's place]

Electricity to the coop is wonderful, for lighting and managing the waterers in cold weather. Very few situations will require heating in winter, though. Mary

 

[MeepBeep]

The only proper way to do it is to wire a drop overhead or underground per local and national electrical code...

Extension cords (although widely used) is not proper nor do I recommend it as a permanent or even long term semipermanent solution...

It's best to consult a licensed electrician in your area to get it done properly unless you have the experience and know how as well as knowledge of local and national building codes...

 

[RonP]

The only proper way to do it is to wire a drop overhead or underground per local and national electrical code...

Extension cords (although widely used) is not proper nor do I recommend it as a permanent or even long term semipermanent solution...

It's best to consult a licensed electrician in your area to get it done properly unless you have the experience and know how as well as knowledge of local and national building codes...

Absolutely.

Rather safe than sorry...

 

[The Lazy L]

Go to your local rental shop and rent a trencher.

The trencher will cut a "slot in your ground 2" to 3" wide (depending on the unit you rented). I would go at least 2 feet deep, preferably go deeper then your normal winter ground freeze depth.

In the trench bury PVC electrical conduit (size is dependent on the distance). Use sweep 90 degree elbows on both terminating ends. House terminating end is by an outside outlet or a good location to punch a hole thru the foundation to the basement/crawl space. Coop terminating end is where you want to bring electric into the coop.

You will need to pull 3 wires in the conduit: White, Black and Green.

For 15 AMPS at the coop:

Distance between the coop and house is:
50 feet: 12 gauge copper wire.
100 feet: 10 gauge copper wire.
150 feet: 8 gauge copper wire.
200 feet: 6 gauge copper wire.
300 feet: 4 gauge copper wire.

Electrical outlet on the coop terminating end should be a GFI.