Putting Cord Into Coop

[animalover]

I bought a cold weather extension cord at Lowe's the other day:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_242172-6690...tt=15 ft cold weather extension cord$y=9$x=20
The coop is only a few feet from an outlet on my back porch. I was planning to run it out to the coop and put it in through the vent near the roof. I plan on running a rope light on a timer and maybe a heated water bowl. No one goes out back there but me. Does anyone see any problems with this?

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Sorry, lady, but that's too easy and makes too much sense. We have this "guy" thing going; don't interfere.

 

[swimmer]

I'm liking the cold weather cord idea. I thought I was going to have to dig through my hubby's cord collection, but now I have the answer. Thanks animal lover. Might ever string up some Christmas lights come December. Think the girls would like that???

 

[X2Farm]

Quote:
This is what we have, though its about 100ft between the coop and outlet. We just slipped the cord through the top ventilation area and put a power strip mounted up high, to plug stuff into, like a fan and heat lamp. Though our chicks are only 7wks old, they're fine with it so far.

 

[swimmer]

I'm liking the power strip idea. My have to have my mister get busy and put one in. I was just going to use one of those three way plug things, but the strip might be a better idea. That way if was have a power surge it would turn everything off, right?

 

[animalover]

Thanks, Joe - you made my night!!!

 

[X2Farm]

Quote:
err.... em.... I have NO clue how they work

I just know they're supposed to offer some protection in the event of a power surge. Plus, it has multiple plug ins

 

[Tdub4chiks]

Quote:
Sorry, lady, but that's too easy and makes too much sense. We have this "guy" thing going; don't interfere.

Sorry, I know I'm not a guy, but....I cut the cord off from a small pond pump, drilled a hole same size as the cord in the top of the coop and attached it to an outlet in the ceiling of the coop. I will use a heavy duty extension cord to plug into my garage. Now I have a place to plug in my water heater and light/Heat Lamp etc.

 

[woodmort]

While I'm not a licensed electrician I've done a lot electrical work in my time either supervised or inspected by a licensed electrical contractor--wiring rooms in my house and completely wiring my fishroom--so know a bit about it. Those of you that are running extension cords to your coops just remember you're not putting up Christmas lights but are planning on lights, timers and, most of all, heaters. That latter require a lot of resistance which mean the light, cheap cords can overheat. Plus, if your coop is anything like mine, it is dusty and there are a lot of combustible stuff like pine shavings, feathers and straw or hay around. While I'm not a "Nervous Nellie" I am cautious and suggest that you use heavy cords--#12 wire at highest--and cover or hang any outlets so they will not collect dust and are away from any water. Put your heaters up on noncombustible platforms--bricks or cement blocks--and keep shavings and dried grass as far away as possible. Also, fly the wire between the outlet and the coop--hang it from posts or trees or whatever--rather than lay it along the ground.

To be perfectly honest, I'd suggest doing what I did. Dig a foot and half deep trench between the nearest electrical source and the coop, lay underground rated cable and hire an electrician to come in to wire up an outlet in the coop and hook the system to you house. It'll cost you but if you're intending on keeping chickens in the long run it'll be better safe than sorry. A ground fault circuit would be a good idea too. Just a suggestion.

 

[swimmer]

Great information. My husband also mentioned about the dust, ect in the coop. He's going to install some kind of box so the outlets aren't exposed to as much dust. I will only need two outlets. One for light, and for the heated waterer.