Fires caused by improperly installed lights in coop

[PatS]

Those little LED headlamps (I got mine from amazon) are fantastic. Look, Ma, no hands.

Right now I have an LED camping lantern in my coop. I'm tired of tramping out to turn it on and off in the weather. If those little solar light give off good light for an hour or two after sunset and then fade away, that would be perfect for me. Let us know how they work!

 

[Tony K T]

Always use a ceramic fixture if you plan on using the 250 watt heat bulb.If not, you will be asking for trouble.The plastic fixtures can not handle the heat for long and will start fires.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

If i were you i would put in one of those battery opperated lights that sticks to the ceiling or wall.

 

[rosco]

Quote:
all,
i've installed a clamp light with tied as safety catches (2). the wire is also stapled. and the bulb is a low wattage CFB so little heat. Thanks for the help!

we've used hat clip LED lights for years. i've no idea why people use the head band style. unless one doesn't wear a hat, then i see the reasoning. Yeah, thanks for help. the rope lighting was a great idea!

Rosco & Robin
ps. we used the light for the first time last night and we got eggs today. that was QUICK! now we are walking around with eggs in our pockets wondering if we can get a hatch without an incubator/rotator. after 1.5 wks they won't be laying fertile eggs so probably no necessary.

 

[rosco]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

and BTW, I haven't found an insulation yet that the chickens or ducks didn't eat.

I"m wondering if insulation is necessary. some have suggested it shouldn't be in my area, but the shed is metal and faces west (where wind comes from).

The person we bought them from only had a brush pile and a run that was covered by plywood for shelter. He noticed no problems over several winters.

Not Sure Yet.

-rosco​

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
What? It helps having a heating source in a coop to keep water from freezing. If you keep the coop above freezing temp. ie 32 F or higher, it will not affect the plummage they grow. I have kept my coop at 45 - 50 degrees and never once had a problem with a bird not getting their winter plummage. Most molts usually occur in the fall and early winter before a heat source is really necessary. I would like to know the source of your comment because I would be interested in reading such an article.

I have 2 small LED push on lights in my coop which give plenty of light to see and so forth.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
I"m wondering if insulation is necessary. some have suggested it shouldn't be in my area, but the shed is metal and faces west (where wind comes from).

The person we bought them from only had a brush pile and a run that was covered by plywood for shelter. He noticed no problems over several winters.

Not Sure Yet.

-rosco

No, you shouldn't need to worry about insulation. We get down to -25 to -35°F for weeks on end, and of course then it's nice to have the insulation. Some people here in AK even raise them without insulation, so it can be done. Even if you see below-freezing temps, they should be fine in a snug coop, whether it's metal or not.
There's just so many variables that affect the bird(s) ability to be comfortable in the colder temps... number of birds, age(s) of birds, size of coop, geography, etc... each case is different. My advice is usually don't spoil them, watch them closely but don't give them extra heat unless you see obvious signs of discomfort (huddling, lethargy, etc). We use a heated base for our 3 gal galvanized waterer, but don't add any extra heat for the birds. Some birds still prefer to sleep outside, even down to 0°F. I throw them in the coop, but they pop right back out. As long as the coop is fairly draft free and cozy, they will decide when it's time to move inside.

 

[Margot]

As promised, I am here to update on how my solar lights worked. I got my solar light installed and they work fine. I ordered them from amazon and only cost 25/each. The light they give are not alot, but more then enough to see if the waterer needs filling, and to count beaks. There are plastic and not meant to be a full time source of light, so for their intended purpopse they work great. They have a small solar panel (about 5 x 6 in) that is mounted on the outside or roof. Wire goes thru to light that is mounted inside with 10 small led lights. Turned on/off with a pull string.

I like them and I mistakenly left one on and drained it, but it recharged completely the next day. Directsions say light good for 10 hrs. I did read some reviews on Amazon and had to agree with two items. First the screws provided are cheap and will strip easily. Use quality screws to attach. Second the rechargeable battery is accessed thru the back of the light fixture. So in ordedr to change you have to unscrew from the wall. No big deal for me.

To see, go to Amazon, search solar shed lights. I got the Designers Edge L949

I also purchased two new heated waters - purchased from Premier, item #520009. works wonderfully. They were only $38.00 ea and free shipping. I used to use the metal waterer sitting on top of one of those metal round heaters...did not work and my poor hens had frozen water the very first day it dipped below freezing. The new waterers are all in one..the warming element is built into the actual base of the waterer. Plastic and not too large. One downfall (I think) is that you fill it from a small 1in hole in the bottom. So in order to fill it has to be disconnected and taken to the water source or flipped over (it stands upside down nicely) and filled with a bucket and funnel or hose. Not that big a deal...to make sure my lovely girls and boys have fresh liquid water this winter.

We made it thru our first big storm just fine...fresh water and nice lights!

Margot - cold snowy SW Michigan

 

[Tony K T]

Quote:
What? It helps having a heating source in a coop to keep water from freezing. If you keep the coop above freezing temp. ie 32 F or higher, it will not affect the plummage they grow. I have kept my coop at 45 - 50 degrees and never once had a problem with a bird not getting their winter plummage. Most molts usually occur in the fall and early winter before a heat source is really necessary. I would like to know the source of your comment because I would be interested in reading such an article.

I have 2 small LED push on lights in my coop which give plenty of light to see and so forth.

Most birds will climatized themselves.If your just trying to keep your coop around 32-35 degrees,I don't think you'll have a problem.But,if your trying to keep your coop at 50-60 degrees you will encounter the problem.
Again,if you lose electricity for a day or so,what's going to happen to your birds that are used to the heat?I don't think they will be happy or healthy.Just keep the drafts off from them and they will be fine.
If you are try to give them light so they will produce eggs you don't need a heat light.What you need is a breed that produces eggs year round not seasonal.
In N.H.,Tony.