is a cardboard box safe in a barn

[Charlieandlola]

I have access to a cardboard crate (box) that would work for baby chicks. It's the kind of box that you see holding pumpkins or squash at large stores. Heavy duty cardboard, about 48X42 in size. Is it safe to use that with a 250 heat lamp?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Lots of people have done this. "Safe" is always important. Double suspend the heat lamp, that's the key. The bedding itself is a fire danger regardless of whether the brooder is plastic, wood, or cardboard. I've always brooded outside in the garage or out in the barn itself. Take reasonable precautions and go for it.

 

[Charlieandlola]

So, the pine wood chips are more likely to cause a fire than the actually cardboard box?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Anything that can burn is always a danger, but we do what we can to minimize that. The point is that if the heat lamp were to fall into the bedding? You are right. So much of chicken raising, brooding, etc has within it the possibility of a fire.

The cardboard box as a brooding box? Awesome, in my experience.