Heat Lamps Melting??

[koakritters]

I had a red heat lamp bulb, and the thing just stopped working, went to unscrew it, well the part that screws into the lamp has MELTED to the lamp!!!

has anyone ever had this happen to them before?... i guess i'm off to buy a new bulb, at least my other lamp the chicks are old enough they are no longer using it, but still...

and how do i attempt to get everything out of the other lamp??? It's kinda my dad's lamp that he let me borrow since it has a long neck and can be bent to move the light closer and farther from the chicks.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would trash the whole thing.

I would make sure you use a CERAMIC socket next time. I personally use two or three brooder lamps with 100 watt bulbs in them so that I can adjust the temperature easily by turning off lamps. I measure the temps under the lamps.

 

[Nambroth]

Quote:
OP: Seconding this! Get a ceramic socket (yes they are a bit more expensive but worth it) and note the rating on the lamp... they should have a rating printed somewhere inside or on the socket indicating the highest wattage you should use. Otherwise you are creating a fire hazard... scary! I have read too many horror stories about brooder fires (and shed/house/coop fires) to mess around, even if it means saving a few dollars...

 

[Ms.Frizzle]

Was it an real heat lamp you were using, or just a desk lamp with a heat bulb?

 

[koakritters]

do you know where i could find a ceramic socket? I've never seen them around here. I would think the feed store would have them if they are better to use... I put my regular deak lamp/bulb on them for now- it's 100 watt, so they have something, and it's about 72 in their room so they should be okay for now.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Home Depot has them for around $12 or so. And my feed store has them for $20.

 

[koakritters]

it was a real heat lamp

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

One time a heat lamp exploded when I had it outside under a tarp in the rain, pointing into a hutch. Fortunately the glass shards didn't hurt my chicks.