Coop Fire

[Spookwriter]

Very sad news for a coop to burn. And I hate to hear it.
Thankfully, the loss was contained to the coop and chickens.
Bad as that was.

Although heat lamps catch the main blame, there are other things
in the coop that can --and will-- cause fire.

Keep it clean. Enough dust in an enclosed area can and will cause fire.
Even when it's cold outside, you need enough ventilation for air transfer.

I bet the most of us use extension cords to supply the coop in the winter.
Make sure you have the correct cord, rated for outdoor use. My personal
choice is buried lines, enclosed in conduit. All wire inside the coop should
be in conduit.

And of course we all have fire extinguishers in every outbuilding.
More things than a heat lamp can cause a coop fire.

Keep it clean, keep it safe.

Spook

 

[Thespoiledchicken]

Thank you for reminding us how easy this can happen. I'm so sorry for your loss

I just started incubating eggs and I think I will invest in a ecoglow- I never did feel comfortable with those darn heat lamps.

Trish

 

[Back on the Farm]

I'm sending hugs.

 

[Back on the Farm]

I'm sending hugs.

 

[flowergirl60]

I too am sending hugs.

I am so very sorry for your loss.

 

[babsbag]

Although heat lamps catch the main blame, there are other things
in the coop that can --and will-- cause fire.

Keep it clean. Enough dust in an enclosed area can and will cause fire.
Even when it's cold outside, you need enough ventilation for air transfer.

I bet the most of us use extension cords to supply the coop in the winter.
Make sure you have the correct cord, rated for outdoor use. My personal
choice is buried lines, enclosed in conduit. All wire inside the coop should
be in conduit.

And of course we all have fire extinguishers in every outbuilding.
More things than a heat lamp can cause a coop fire.

Keep it clean, keep it safe.

Spook

Thank you for all the hugs. It is nice to to be in the company of people that don't think "they were just chickens".

I completly agree with the extension cord thing, and yes I did have them in there. After the fire my husband and decided that no more short cuts, the next shed will have conduit in the shed and buired lines to the shed. Also a GFI outlet at the shed would be a good idea. If indeed the mouse did start the fire (I doubt it), he would have to chew through conduit first.

We have only lived on this property for a few years and in my exicitement to be able to own goats and chickens we tend to build things to a "functional" state and never get around to finishing the details, like conduit. That has to stop, we had our wake up call.

The shed was clean as I had just cleaned it the week before it burned and I am always wiping dust off the light. I was always aware of the dangers and thought I was taking enough precautions.

Just please please please be careful.

 

[BWKatz]

So sorry for ur loss. May I suggest getting a hen such as a silkie or otherwise that is prone to going broody.No heatlamp needed and the chicks get a headstart on everything.

 

[<3 N.C Chicken Chick <3]

I'am verry sorry for your losses, and I am going to go unplug my plant light that I have been useing as a heat light, and I am also going to go unplug the extension cordS thanks for the warnings.

 

[Spookwriter]

Spook saw a fire where the 'coon started it.

It had bitten into the wires, and was still there when
we got the fire put out.

 

[True Grit]

So sorry for your loss.