It got unusually cold here the past few nites. So I put up a clamp on light for heat. Well it must have got knocked down on the floor and it burnt a 6 inch hole right through a 3/4 inch piece of plywood. I do not know what kept it from buning the whole coop down. I now have it so if it comes unclapped it cannot fall all the way to the floor, it will just hang in mid air. Just thought I would tell my story hoping someone might learn from my mistake.
Good point! Someone on here (can't remember who) posted a story of a lady's house and coops burn't down after a mishap with a heat lamp. Hope you don't have anymore problems!
Zip ties are your friend. I have several on my lamp- one at the clamp to hold that on, and several on the cord. That way if one gives way, maybe the rest will keep the lamp from hitting the floor.
Lights should be hung with 2 cords/wire at different angles to make a triangle so that the light does not swing and if one breaks it will not fall. Basic safety and will prevent most accidents from happening. I have mine tied up with rock climbing slings (will not break) and at a height that if it does move it only hits the metal braces on the sides of the coop not the wood. Relying on just the clamp that is on those lamps is a good way to end up with a disaster.
Keep the lamp far enough away from the chickens, too. My banty cochin snuggled too close and lost the feathers on 1 wing, plus much of her fluff on that same side. She wasn't hurt... but could have been!!
This isn't an issue of the lamp being too dangerous. It's an issue of improper installment. These things like all eletrical equipment is dangerous if not properly installed. Mcdonalds uses 500 and 700 watt bulbs and I don't hear of problems of a McDs burning down. I have used two 250 watt lamps for years and have had no problems as mine are fastened to the coop walls out of reach of the birds. I'm glad all that happened was the hole. You are lucky that is all that happened. jeremy
same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago! big burn hole in the floor but still standing. No more mistakes on my part ever again!!
