Heat Lamp Unforseen Hazard

[CayugaJana]

I just happened to click on a thread from @AaronandAlice about several chickens suddenly dying. I figured there were several people like me who don’t regularly go to the chickens page since I only have ducks. If you read through the post you will find that she had chickens die very suddenly with no apparent reason. I was shocked to read the birds died from Teflon poisoning from a heat lamp they used. The heat lamp was a non-stick kind that was coated with Teflon which apparently is highly toxic to birds. The Teflon heats up and puts off a gas that will kill birds. Now mind you this bulb was intended for use for keeping food hot in a food establishment. But I grabbed my lamp that I had used to grow plants the other day and used it on my ducks. Thankfully nothing happened but I never in a million years thought a heat lamp could kill birds in just a few hours from the gases it put off!!

Here is the post I am referring to:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...not-attacked-update-teflon-poisoning.1215065/

 

[Welshies]

Not all heat lamps are teflon coated. Most heat lamps will not kill poultry ever, but it doesn't hurt to always check the box. Her box had a label.

 

[CayugaJana]

Yes. That is why I put in the thread what it’s intended use was for...... But I can tell you I would never have read a label or checked to see if the bulb had Teflon on it before today.

 

[Welshies]

Yes. That is why I put in the thread what it’s intended use was for...... But I can tell you I would never have read a label or checked to see if the bulb had Teflon on it before today.

Yes, it's good to be aware... just please make it clear many of the regular heat lamps are totally safe. Just keep your practises safe, everyone. Check labels and secure your lamps to the roof.

 

[junebuggena]

Common sense is to check all labels and warnings prior to purchase to ensure you are getting the right product for the appropriate application.

 

[CayugaJana]

Yes, it's good to be aware... just please make it clear many of the regular heat lamps are totally safe. Just keep your practises safe, everyone. Check labels and secure your lamps to the roof.

Yes thank you for making that clear. Sometimes I think I have conveyed something crystal clear when in fact I have not.

 

[Abriana]

I will definitely be reading the labels on any heat lamps I buy. Do you know if the heat lamps that person purchased were made specifically for chicks/chickens? I wonder if heat lamps for poultry don’t have Teflon but hers wasn’t made for chickens?

 

[Welshies]

Yes thank you for making that clear. Sometimes I think I have conveyed something crystal clear when in fact I have not.

No problem I have the same problem.

 

[AaronandAlice]

Yes, it's good to be aware... just please make it clear many of the regular heat lamps are totally safe. Just keep your practises safe, everyone. Check labels and secure your lamps to the roof.

I have to say, I just never would have thought to check a light bulb. Luckily we had the box. I think my biggest lesson from this happening- and what I hope others take away- is to only use products labeled safe for use with birds.

 

[CayugaJana]

I will definitely be reading the labels on any heat lamps I buy. Do you know if the heat lamps that person purchased were made specifically for chicks/chickens? I wonder if heat lamps for poultry don’t have Teflon but hers wasn’t made for chickens?

No I believe her husband works in the food industry and took the lamp off of some equipment and put in the coop since they had the lamp on hand. They don’t sell these at Farm stores that I’m aware of.