My chicks are trying to burn the house down!

[insiderart]

Ok the elementary schoolers knocked the heat lamp into the shavings this morning. Luckily I found it before any disaster ensued, and no one got trapped under it. So I affixed it extra specially securely, they're still bonking into it.

They've discovered the popcorning game and are hopping up and down at each other and jumping into the shiny shield. They are too little yet to do without it. Crazy chicks!

 

[Master S.M.C]

Sorry about that, things happen but is all well

 

[write2caroline]

I hung my heat lamp from a 2x2 pole I taped to a mirror but originally I had it "clear moving taped" to the actual brooder box and I had about 3 inches of ground walnut shells for both weight (Got them from petsmart) and because the wood shavings didn't specify what kind of wood and I use the walnut shells with my parakeets.

I could control the temp by raising and lowering the lamp. I used the 250 watt bulb for the first couple of days and then the 150 watt bulb after. because I had the lamp fall in when it was clamped to the side of the brooder and I was afraid it would happen and start a fire.

CAL
JAX FL

 

[insiderart]

Nice set up!

Yeah you know how elementary school chicks are, all sassy and running around everywhere! I use a 50 watt bulb and it's down pretty low. They are able to go in and out from under it when they feel the need. Usually they sleep right on the periphery, but I like that if one feels a bit cold it can (and they do too) get right underneath and warm up a bit. They lay down on their sides and stick one leg out, they look like little sunbathers LOL!

I just didn't have it secured enough, and with all that jumping around playing hopscotch, soccer, and popcorn kernal it got knocked in. It's a good lesson, glad I caught it!

 

[FluffyColor]

"elementary schoolers"

I think elementary schoolers wouldn't try to burn thier home down??????????

For proof,I've never picked up a match in my life.

 

[Akane]

Never picked up a match? We were helping to light our own birthday candles by elementary school. As well as lighting fireworks and playing with candles under supervision. At least until middle school and then there were a few times we played with candles without supervision. Overall we were quite safe but one time did lead to an incident. We were trying to see how fast we could make a candle melt and underestimated the fireball that resulted from wrapping it in paper. Addition of water was quick and no harm was done except a black mark on the table that had to be explained when my mom got home. The best way to learn something is through experience and we did learn proper safety and not to over or under estimate things when dealing with excessive heat or fire.

All my heat lamps are fastened by rock climbing slings and if I use a high wattage bulb like the 250w outdoor heat lamps I use 2 rock climbing slings to make sure it can't swing or in case one breaks. These have a breaking strength somewhere around 800lbs. Out in the coop I usually also make sure that if it does hit the side it hits at the metal braces and not the wood. I do not use anything to adjust the height. Instead I change the bulb. Anything I've used to prop the lamp up or try to clip it on has been too flimsy or required too much effort. Changing the bulb is easier and means I can properly fasten a lamp.

 

[FluffyColor]

Closest I ever came to trying to burn my house down was the time I placed corn on the cob wrapped in foil into the micorwave.I was running aaround the house(that's what I did at the time when I waited for things to heat up )when I noticed the micorwave lights were off and there were blue and orange flashes in its place.I ran to the micorwave.I couldn't see anything inside it until blue balls of flame shot up.Then a small fire was realeased.I turned it off,hopig reduction of heat would stop the flames.It was okay.I gt rid of the foil when it was cool enough and ate the corn.