In a Panic over Heat Lamp Fires...

[MicroFarmMom]

In the last week there has been 2 heat lamp related fires - one killing 17 FFH pigs, and one killing a woman when it caught onto the house. Now Im a little afraid of using my lamp on the birds. We have a 250 wt Infrared heatlamp. Its got a clamp that clamps it to the rabbit hutch. It's made of cedar I think. Anyway - it's going across the cage so it's roughly 10-12 inches from a wooden surface. It's touching metal but Im not worried about that so much. Im hoping that that space lets it dissipate a bit but Im worried yall.
Does this sound safe to yall? I have no shavings or straw or anything in there...

 

[Robo]

If it is not under 10* they really don't need a heat lamp.

 

[MicroFarmMom]

You are SURE!? I definatly don't want to kill them! LOL!
Sould I just cover all open areas athat aren't below them and call it a day?

 

[19hhbelgian]

You know what, I'm a doofis! I didn't even realize you were asking about quail

sorry!!

 

[Rainwolf]

The above advise is for Coturnix.....
Do you have Coturnix or Buttons or?

 

[MicroFarmMom]

Courtunix

 

[NellaBean]

I would recommend bumping down that bulb to 100w and just covering at least part of the "open areas". I never use above 100watt in my brooders. You're better off cutting down the airflow and using less heat. Those 250watt bulbs are way too much of a hazard.....

Also, do not trust the clamp. I use an eyebolt secured to the top of the cage/brooder. Then I clip the lamp via the hanger to the eyebolt with a carabiner....and also run the cord through the carabiner. So just in case the hanger attached to the lamp comes off, it will still be hanging by the cord. And I *have* had this save me as eventually somebody bumps into it enough times that the hanger may slip off. I completely remove the clamp attachment as its worthless and too dangerous to trust.

 

[Rainwolf]

Quote:
x2
I use 100w for first week then 75w then 60 then 40...
this way the lamp I use is tired to one spot and the temp drop is from the bulb wattage rather then distance.

 

[MicroFarmMom]

So like...an easy bake oven light would work? I have another stupid question - can they sleep with light on them?

 

[Rainwolf]

But you only need heat until they are acclimatized to outdoor temps.
Once they are used to outside temps then as long as the temp drops are not drastic to the extreme then they should be fine without heat as adults.

Chicks on the other hand need some heat until they are fully feathered. best way to check is under the wing. If you still see mostly skin then they are not fully feathered.

Standard temp drop per week for chicks is 5 degrees
Once fully feathered you can reduce the heat a little faster until they are at outside cold temps.