Heat Lamp Unforseen Hazard

[Welshies]

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, they never specified. They said their husband only picked some up as a last minute thing. Heat lamps are intended for a variety of uses, so always check the box... upon later inspection the box did say it was unsafe for poultry.

 

[Welshies]

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.

Exactly. It was a good lesson for us all, I'm just very sad it had to be learnt the hard way

 

[Abriana]

No, they never specified. They said their husband only picked some up as a last minute thing. Heat lamps are intended for a variety of uses, so always check the box... upon later inspection the box did say it was unsafe for poultry.

Oh, okay. I was wondering if companies were making insafe heat lamps for poultry and everyone was buying them. So heat lamps that come in the box with a bunch of chicks on the front should be fine?

 

[Abriana]

Exactly. It was a good lesson for us all, I'm just very sad it had to be learnt the hard way

Me too

 

[AaronandAlice]

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?

Ours was not. Long story short- their red light broke, it was going to be sub zero with a wind chill of -25 last night so my husband offered me a 250 watt bulb to borrow from his work truck until I could get back to the store. It was only meant to be temporary because it was clear and too bright for overnight. The bulb is meant for use in the wing bars they have at the grocery store. He said they put 8 of them over the chicken and onion rings etc. 8- over food even little kids might eat- who knew one 5 feet off the floor in the coop would be so dangerous? We had no idea. But no, these bulbs are for commercial food equipment- not something you'd buy at a regular store. But- they do sell coated bulbs at stores I believe. Just be safe- it never once crossed my mind that could be deadly- until it was too late.

 

[Welshies]

Oh, okay. I was wondering if companies were making insafe heat lamps for poultry and everyone was buying them. So heat lamps that come in the box with a bunch of chicks on the front should be fine?

Never assume. Always check

 

[AaronandAlice]

p.s. all light bulbs have warning labels- I'm so used to them just talking about using the bulb in an appropriately rated lamp that I never even looked at the box.

 

[Abriana]

Never assume. Always check

 

[Abriana]

Ours was not. Long story short- their red light broke, it was going to be sub zero with a wind chill of -25 last night so my husband offered me a 250 watt bulb to borrow from his work truck until I could get back to the store. It was only meant to be temporary because it was clear and too bright for overnight. The bulb is meant for use in the wing bars they have at the grocery store. He said they put 8 of them over the chicken and onion rings etc. 8- over food even little kids might eat- who knew one 5 feet off the floor in the coop would be so dangerous? We had no idea. But no, these bulbs are for commercial food equipment- not something you'd buy at a regular store. But- they do sell coated bulbs at stores I believe. Just be safe- it never once crossed my mind that could be deadly- until it was too late.

I’m sorry about your hens
I never thought to read the label on a heat lamp either. I mean a lamp? How could that be dangerous? I never thought about the coating on the bulb. Again, thank you for the warning!

 

[casportpony]

Stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, Target, etc do not sell bulbs "labeled" for brooder/poultry use, but that doesn't mean you can't use them. Of course check the box for warnings, but also check the look of the glass. Teflon coated bulbs are opaque, so do not use anything opaque. Also do not use anything that says "shatter proof".

All *clear* non-coated bulbs should okay to use.