Coop fire due to heat lamp

[aart]

...and any electrical in a coop can cause a fire if it's not properly installed and maintained.

 

[chickens really]

...and any electrical in a coop can cause a fire if it's not properly installed and maintained.

Right I have a GFI cord also on all my heat lamps so power shuts off if anything goes wrong. So far has never happened.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I personally am totally against heat lamps in the coop. I've worked too hard and put in a lot of money on my chickens and their upkeep to risk fire hazards. Hope you can rebuild soon. Best of luck.

 

[flyin-lowe]

There are people on here who live in the great north and have coops that are not heated, insulated, and some are open completely on 1 side. There are breeds that can survive without heat. If I lived in such a harsh environment I would get breeds that can survive the temps instead of getting ones that need heat. I live in Indiana and since I have had my chickens we have had stretches in the winter (not just one day) with temps near -20f and with wind chill temps -30 to -40f. All the windows, vents, and pop door on my coop have been open since the day I built the coop and never had an issue.

 

[gimmie birdies]

If someone accidentally runs some one over with a subaru, you do not ban all subarus. People have to take personal responsibility for all things, everything on a case by case basis.

 

[RoosterML]

If someone accidentally runs some one over with a subaru, you do not ban all subarus. People have to take personal responsibility for all things, everything on a case by case basis.

I agree 100%. Would be interesting to see how the heat lamp was secured. I have a heat lamp setup ready to go if I feel it is needed. If i put mine in use I have 2 chains that will be used for mounting it in case one fails. It's mounted outside the coop space itself. If they want to hang out in front of it to warm up they can otherwise they will not get the benefits of it. Main flooring under it is concrete but the chooks do get some bedding on it. I would feel comfortable using it if needed.

 

[PirateGirl]

Accidents happen no one burns down their coop or their home on purpose. We like to think we are being safe and responsible and that it can't happen to us, until it does. Recently my friend had his mechanic shop and home burn to the ground. He was lucky to escape with his life. The fire department eventually determined most likely a mouse had chewed some electrical cords. Accidents happen.

 

[Folly's place]

Anything electrical can go bad and cause a horrible fire, especially if poorly installed or maintained, as others have already said.
'Normal' and often turned off appliances cause house fires often!
I'm sorry for those folks, and their chickens and bunnies, and hope they weren't at fault in some way for their disaster, which is very sad.
Once a hay barn starts going up, nothing will save it, and rural fire departments don't have unlimited supplies of water and water pressure either. If a structure gets burning, it's going to be gone out here.
Mary

 

[123RedBeard]

...and any electrical in a coop can cause a fire if it's not properly installed and maintained.

So true!

Here is something to think about ...

First of all extension cord are designed for temporary use ... they have both indoor rating, and outdoor ratings ... besides they come in different gauges ... how heavy/thick the wire is, which means how much electricity can safely pass through, WITHOUT heating it up so it can catch something else on fire!

Secondly ... anybody who has kept chickens for very long ... KNOWS that there is LOTS of dust ... dust is flammable ... just ask any woodworking shop or flour mill ... too much dust in a switch, and when it is turned on ... poof ... and if the wiring is not sized right ... it will also ignite the dust!

If you don't use dust proof or "hazard location" rated receptacles ... you need to clean the receptacles before they burn down your chicken coop!

 

[gimmie birdies]

Yes, just practice safety and common sense. Just like if you left a barn door open something could get your birds.