Heating Source

Hello, I have 2 baby chickens that I just got today. I have decided until they get older to keep them in a late indoor dog kennel...not a metal one but one that's plastic and has the metal door. My question is...what is the safest way for me to provide heat for them without a fire hazard??

kept my babies in a potato box with a red heat lamp, making sure that they had some shade though.

I could attach a red heat lamp/light my fear is catching the plastic kennel on fire :/ being we have other pets the kennel seems to provide the most protection for them until they are older and can go to the coop...I'm not to worried about during the day because temps here are 90+ and I can move them to the garage just concerned about night time when temps are 70s and so I move them inside.

I wouldn't know then, sorry. :/ always had to use a heater cuz night temps range from 50 during the hot summer to below freezing. You could try just keeping them insulated a bit using towels. Otherwise they huddle for warmth naturally when they sleep, so you may just be fine.

Thank you for all your help...they seem very comfortable and I have some bedding down for them and the kennel is very insulated

You're welcome. With your combined hot climate and seemingly good setup, I wouldn't worry.

I used a plastic tote with a regular heat lamp covered with a wire mesh. I made a top that held the lamp housing, fit the top of my tote, and didn't use the light clamp. I kept the chicks inside the house and at room temp the heat lamp was way too much heat. I had several different bulbs in varying wattage that I used to vary the temp from the 120 watt heat lamp down to a 25 watt regular bulb. With the house being around 72 degrees I think I started with a 75 watt incandescent bulb in the heat lamp to have about 90 degrees in the brooder. I followed the 5 degree rule for heat. Start at 90 when first born and subtract 5 every week until they are pretty much fully feathered or the lowest outside temp is the same as the brooder temp.

For fire prevention just make sure the heat lamp has no way to touch the plastic or any bedding/litter. I also try to use the lowest wattage possible for the same reason. Higher wattage is more heat. If something did happen like the lamp fell, or something got pushed against it, and the bulb was close to something it is more likely to catch fire with a higher wattage. Makes me think about the mini Christmas lights on a natural tree and those big bulbs almost the size of nigh lights they used to use? Or throw in the mix the modern led. The highest risk to fire would be the big lights, then the mini and less likely for fire would be the led.

Thank you so much I have a heat lamp with a wire mesh that I will use with a lower wattage bulb in the evening...with the kennel being enclosed that just makes more sense I am sure that they will be comfortable during the day with the kennel in the garage with temps here 90+ with ventilation from the windows...thank you!