Separate coops?

[Homemade1]

Thanks again everyone. Still no coop pics yet. I’ll get there, promise. lol. I’m thinking Orpingtons might be worth a shot later on. Lots of reading still to do on that! Thank you all for the suggestion of Henderson’s breed chart! Great info there as well! I have decided though on a cheap solar light. Might not work out, it’s cheap lol. If nothing else I will hang it by my human door for myself so I lessen the chances of a slip and fall (at least my wife will get to watch and laugh if she can see it happen.) I’m also leaning toward a solar generator in the future as a possibility I can always find another reason for one of these little things! I’m not sure it would provide enough power for a heated waterer? anyone tried something like this before? I know those can run expensive, but trust me, having done quite a bit of electric here - it won’t be cheap or easy to get power to my coop. Likely would cost a small fortune - more than the build itself.

 

[aart]

I’m not sure it would provide enough power for a heated waterer? anyone tried something like this before? I know those can run expensive, but trust me, having done quite a bit of electric here - it won’t be cheap or easy to get power to my coop. Likely would cost a small fortune - more than the build itself.

Need sufficient collector panels and battery storage to match your power needs with the available sunlight. Hard to say if that would be cheaper than running hard wired power.

How far is it?
Heavy duty extension cord has worked here for 6 years.

 

[Folly's place]

We did the above ground power cord for years (in conduit!) and then hired an expert, dug the 2' deep trench necessary, and had the coop wired up to code. Safer, made our farm insurance company happy, and us too. It was nowhere near the cost of the coop!
Mary

 

[Homemade1]

200’ if laid through the yard thats what I’m running now for the build but it requires pulling my generator out about 50’ closer so maybe 250’. That’s across the yard and dog run. To have a safer more permanent on ground/underground route I’d be looking at about 400’ at the minimum. The problem is: the rock. I recently dug a gas line that was only about a 40’ run and it required a jackhammer the entire way. Also, I have a mountain runoff/creek that is about 20’ below my yard that needs crossed to get there.

edit to add: I can also reach without the generator when I run my air compressor but that also requires a 50’ hose so I would say 250’ straight run over there. However, I still have the issue of the electric over the creek as well as in the yard.

 

[Folly's place]

I was afraid that was the problem. We don't have rocks here just sand and some soil. It does make these projects easier!
Is solar possible?
Mary

 

[Homemade1]

I was afraid that was the problem. We don't have rocks here just sand and some soil. It does make these projects easier!
Is solar possible?
Mary

Hahaha rocks aren’t as fun as they were when I was a kid! Solar is an option as daylight seems to get to this area fine in the winter. However, I’m not sure how efficient they would be vs. cost as aart pointed out. Carrying warm water multiple times a day doesn‘t sound as bad as it did yesterday!!

edit: sunlight should be plenty fine since I cut the trees

 

[aart]

closer so maybe 250’.

Bummer
That's pretty darn far, mines about 100' of cord, not a straight shot but easily buried.

 

[Ridgerunner]

This might be another way to us solar power if you are carrying water. I use a black rubber bowl from Tractor Supply as a waterer in winter. If I put it in the sun it can keep water thawed well down n the teens Fahrenheit. The sun doesn't shine all day every day and it sure doesn't shine at night. Since it is rubber it doesn't break when I bang it on the ground in the morning or when required to knock the ice out and refill. In summer I use a white plastic bowl and look for shade to keep water cooler. Good luck on finding a decent sized white bowl for summer. Those are a challenge.

 

[Homemade1]

Bummer
That's pretty darn far, mines about 100' of cord, not a straight shot but easily buried.

yeah I wish I was in this boat. I agree with your earlier comment though that the panels and generator would be tough to justify cost on. After looking into them, they get expensive FAST!

Good luck on finding a decent sized white bowl for summer.

I will start the search! I like the idea of the black bowl in the winter! We generally don’t get below the teens °F here in the winter. It happens, but not that often in my exact location. The past few winters have been very mild.

how about these simple, solar powered lights for inside the coop? Anyone have any experience with these at all? I’m gonna attach a link if that is allowed to show what I’m trying. Like I said, if it is a flop, I can use it for myself at the door.


Flyhoom Rechargeable Solar Powered LED Camping Lights, 280LM, 4 Light Modes, Portable Tent Light Bulb with Remote Control for Emergency Power Outage, Hiking Home and More, Solar or USB Chargeable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TDTLVM1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WTFQEbAXMQMGN

 

[Folly's place]

The black rubber bowls work well if there's no electricity possible. They are cheap, get two at least, and trade them out. There can be issues with open bowls, especially if you have roosters with large wattles, or smaller birds, who get into the water, and then get frozen wet body parts. I'd get the smaller bowls; by next winter you will know how much water they dring daily, so you can choose the right sizes.
Mary