lightning

[Kudzu]

Anyone ever had their coop struck by lightning? Should the coop be grounded?

 

[Kudzu]

I must have cooties or sumpin? This is a serious question, please advise.

 

[saxet]

Yes, but only if you build it in the top of an oak tree?

In other words.. I wouldn't know and could not answer your question. It would mainly depend on location?

 

[elmo]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Sometimes a post doesn't get answered immediately here, it's nothing personal. There tend to be fewer eyes on the forum anyway at times like Friday nights, too.

Another reason a post doesn't get answered immediately is that maybe few people have advice to offer on the particular question. Honestly, I never even considered the issue with our chicken coop. However, our coop is in the middle of a yard full of trees next to a taller garage, so I think lightning striking the coop in the middle of all these taller objects is a low risk possibility.

Certainly, if your coop is the highest object in an area, I'd think about grounding. But, sorry, I have no particular knowledge about that subject to offer.

 

[2DogsCoop]

Lightning is unpredictable so I would think any coop could be struck by lightning. But if there are trees around your coop, lightning will most likely strike them first.

 

[ozzchicken]

I would only worry about lightining, if you have a metal roof, or sides(corregated metal,ect)) you should grund it. But if it is would I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

Quote:
I don't know...did you have your dust bath today?

Just teasing! I live in Lightning central (Fl) The trees always cop it first. 2nd is the people on those kite thingies getting towed by boats.

3rd The golfers out on the course with umbrellas.( A lot of the courses now have alarms installed which go off if there is lightning in the area)

I think your coop should be safe enough.

 

[patandchickens]

I didn't answer last night because honestly I'm not quite sure what aspect is concerning you, sorry.

Yes, obviously a coop *can* get hit by lightning, just like anyhting can. The risk is infinitesimally low though unless you are doing something really odd.

Grounding the coop will not prevent it from getting hit (it is more apt to *increase* the chances of a lightning strike, although twice infinitesimal is still infinitesimal

), nor on a small structure like that is it likely to make one whit of difference in damage caused if your one-in-a-bazillion chance does occur.

There are some ramifications to your electrical and plumbing systems (tied in, presumably, to your house) if the coop should get hit, but that is no different than for your house itself or anything ELSE run off its circuits/pipes, and in any case, see above re: chances.

Summary: other things more important to worry about

Good luck, have fun,

Pat