fire in the coop!!!

[Henrietta23]

So scary!! Glad you're all all right!

 

[ChickenShell-A]

Thanks for posting that I was going to use a heat lamp in my coop for some baby ducks in a month or so. i am glad i read this. and thank goodness every thing is ok with your chickens.
RONDA

 

[2dream]

My goodness, what an awful scare. Thanks for posting the reminder. Glad I opted for regular light bulbs instead of heat lamps. I like that plug in the ceiling idea. It is now going to be incorporated into my coop for all electrical stuff including the heaters.
We don't have a lot of cold weather here in the south but there are a few weeks here in the winter that heat is needed for the chickens.
Glad you just had a scare and nothing worse happened. Its a wonder old man ROO did not have a heart attack.

 

[Cheepchick]

I had the same experience one time awhile back. I went out to the coop to feed in the morning and I smelled smoke. It scared me to death. I checked inside the coop and one heat lamp had fallen off the water can that I had it attached to. Of course I had it attached incorrectly and one of the birds had probably flown or jumped into it and it had fallen.
It was laying on the floor which has wood shaving on, and was hot and parched. I was very lucky and now I have the heat lamps attached very securely. I use them when it is very cold at night over the water cans as to not allow the birds water to freeze solid. Living in Michigan is not easy for birds.
Good luck to all out there using the heat lamps and I will definately use some of the wonderful ideas that were suggested. Thanks again.
Linda

 

[jjthink]

I'm so glad this had a happy ending.

I do use ceramic heat lamps - my feathered friends are much more content with temps kept comfy. What I do to try to ensure safety is employ multiple things to hold the lamps in place besides the clamp, which I trust not at all. This year I seem to be using mostly bungee cords that in umpteen ways keep the lamp from ever falling. They are strung through the clamp handles and wrapped around and around ceiling 2 x 4's. I can't envision a situation where they could possibly fall down. In fact, I think it would take me an hour to unravel and take one down, should I want to! Yet posts like this inspire me to go triple check everything again, and I really thank you for that.
JJ

 

[EweSheep]

I nearly lost all my prized Faverolles with that heat lamp and burned a hole in the vinyl shed.....it pays to be extra careful and works well so far.

As for basement brooders, be sure you also hang them from the ceiling too. I use chains or double metal snaps (similar to your dog leash snaps) hanging in my metal cages. That way nothing really gets loose that way. I also put wire ties, heavy gauge similar to your horse electric wire fencings, and tie them on the top of the cage very securely. The only thing you will have to watch that the light does not burn the paper on the bottom for the chicks.

 

[mario2girls]

great idea's , thank you all,,,
we are using the bungees because we have them around already,,then i am looking into some chains and my husband is going to be crazy when i think of a 3rd back up system,,,,
thanks all