My heat lamp blew up!

[chickensducks&agoose]

it's COLD outside, and I've got my 3 week old chicks/ducklings in DH's unheated shed with a nice heatlamp keeping them cozy. anyway, I look out the window periodically, to make sure the light is on, and it just wasn't! It's dark, and maybe 40... probably less. Anyway, I ran out, and they were all quiet... I took out the old bulb, figuring it was just burned out. And I cut my finger! A large portion of the glass is just gone. I can't find the glass, and the birdies all perked up when I plugged the new bulb in (TG I had a new one!), so it's good right? Does anyone know what causes heat lamp explosions?

 

[Akane]

I'd say temp differences maybe but I've used them in subzero temps. Was there anything around to hit it? They break pretty easy with impact. A cat, chicken that could fly that high, etc... could do it. Do you have it on a surge protector? Power fluctuations might do it. They are drawing a lot of power. Otherwise I'd just write it off as a faulty bulb. If it happens twice I'd write it off as a faulty lamp.

 

[flakey chick]

Any precipitation? condensation? Cold water (or ice or snow) dripping/falling on the bulb could give the kind of thermal shock that would make it explode.

 

[poultryhaven]

I had the same thing happen and I thought the light just went out so I reached up under it and shocked the crap out of myself! lol. The little metal thing inside got me and burnt me. I dont know what caused it but mine was inside.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I am glad I cut myself instead of getting shocked. Hadn't crossed my mind! Yikes!