Chickens and Heat Lamp Warning!

[chick2good4u]

Last night went to collect eggs (got home late) and they were already on the roost half asleep. We had put two heat lamps in their house - one pointing upwards and one pointing downwards. As I was getting eggs I smelled a burning smell. Looked up and Souffle had backed her rump up to a heat lamp and her tail feathers were smoldering!

I quickly got her down, checked her out and reset the heat lamp somewhere else. Now I know why you put the little metal cage on the lamps! I know chickens aren't at the top of the food chain but...

 

[rooster0209]

OMG! Glad you found that before disaster struck!

 

[Orpington Poultry]

Toasty buns.

Thank goodness you discovered this.
I have to admit I can relate to the hen, I practically sit on one of our wood stoves.

K.

 

[crzychicken]

also make sure they are tied up also not with just the clamp. I tie mine with wire, just in case they get crazy flying around and knock it down better to be safe than have a fire.

 

[patandchickens]

Pointing upwards is also dangerous because bedding, feathers, etc could get kicked onto it and ignite. Really dangerous, don't do it! Several BYCers have also had chickens with what they're pretty sure were burned foot pads from trying to land on an inopportunely-located heatlamp.

Glad everything's ok,

Pat

 

[Rufflemyfeathers]

Suppose to cook without the feathers

..sure glad you got to in time..hope ok..

About tieing the heat lamp also I do that it is clamped but also tied with wire just in case comes unclamp won't fall to ground and cause fire..so far so good..

 

[chick2good4u]

The cord on the lamp is run through the chain that it's hanging from so there is no worry of it falling. Also it's not pointing directly up, more of a 45 degree angle. Thanks everyone for the tips.

 

[CityChook]

Poor thing - she just wanted a warm heinie. Being in cold MN, I can understand. Glad you caught this before she hurt herself!

 

[Clay In Iowa]

*Sniff.... *Sniff.... Ya know Souffle, it does smell like roast chicken in here.

 

[98 gt]

Gotto love when they are slow roasted...