How to Wire a Chicken Coop

Introduction

Wiring a chicken coop provides light and power for equipment like heat lamps, fans, and automatic door openers. Proper wiring helps keep your chickens comfortable and safe. While wiring a coop may seem daunting, it can be straightforward when done carefully. Here I'll walk through the complete process to wire a chicken coop from start to finish.

Planning the Wiring

Before starting any wiring work, it's crucial to plan out your needs. Here are some key steps:

Determine Electrical Load

Calculate the total wattage of all electrical devices in the coop. Common equipment includes:

• Heat lamps - 250 watts each
• Fans - 50-100 watts each
• Automatic door opener - 50 watts
• Lights - 60-100 watts each

Add up the wattage of all equipment that could run simultaneously. This is the minimum capacity your wiring needs to handle.

Choose a Power Source

Decide how you will supply power to the coop:

• Extension cord - Simple but temporary. Allows quick connection to an outlet.
• Underground wire - Permanent. Trench and bury a wire from your main electrical panel.
• Solar power - No trenching required. Use solar panels and batteries to supply the coop.

Consider distance, permanence, and complexity. An extension cord can work for a test phase. Burying a wire is best for permanent power.

Select Wire Gauge

Choose wiring thick enough to safely handle your electrical load. For a 15-20 amp circuit:

• Runs under 50 feet - use 12 AWG wire
• Runs 50-100 feet - use 10 AWG wire
• Runs over 100 feet - use 8 AWG wire

Thicker wire allows more power delivery over longer distances.

Create a Wiring Diagram

Sketch a simple diagram of the coop layout, power source location, and runs of wire to lights, outlets, and devices. This helps visualize the full wiring plan.

Running the Wiring

Once your plan is set, it's time to install the wiring into the coop.

Mount the Main Electrical Box

Install a small watertight electrical box on an interior wall, up high out of the way. This will contain wire connections and fuses/breakers.

Run Feeder Wire

For underground power, dig a narrow trench from the main electrical panel to the coop. Lay the thick feeder wire in the trench, leading into the bottom of the electrical box.

For extension cord power, run the cord from an outlet to the coop site and into the bottom of the box.

Distribute Branch Circuits

From the main box, run individual branch circuits to each area:

• Use 14 AWG wire for lighting circuits
• Use 12 AWG wire for major equipment like heaters
• Use conduit to protect exposed wire runs on walls or ceilings

Run wires to desired outlet, light, and device locations.

Add Switches and Outlets

Install switches near doors to control lights and fans. Add electrical outlets spaced around the coop for flexible device placement. Weatherproof covers protect outlets.

Connect Devices

Plug in and wire devices like heat lamps, fans, automatic door openers, and lights. Connect each one to an appropriate branch circuit with capacity to handle it.

Install Safety Cuts

For an extension cord, use an in-line fuse or breaker box on the feeder wire to cut power if overloaded.

For underground wire, install proper cutoff switches and fuses in the main electrical box. This prevents risks of shorts or overloads.

Testing and Troubleshooting

After installation, thoroughly test all wiring and make any needed corrections:

• Check for secure connections with no exposed conductors
• Test all outlets and permanent devices
• Look for fraying, damaged, or pinched wires
• Verify proper grounding and polarity
• Confirm fuses/breakers cut power when overloaded
• Check for sparks, unusual smells, or signs of heat
• Measure voltage to confirm proper supply

Address any issues before allowing chickens to inhabit the coop.

Conclusion

With good planning and attention to safety, wiring a chicken coop provides reliable power to keep the chickens comfortable. Follow local electrical codes, use sufficiently thick wire, and make all connections secure. Test thoroughly after installation to catch any issues. The project requires time and diligence but is very worthwhile for safely powering your coop.