Using Heat Lamp in Winter...

[bychicken1]

I'm using a heat lamp for the first time because its going to be like -6 degrees outside... the only thing that worries me is that if it falls to the ground it might burn the chicken coop... or maybe it's too cold for fire to even be started? Any advice for how I can make sure nothing bad happens? It's clamped pretty high up, so no chicknes can eknock it down

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

Throw away the clamp. Don't even be tempted to use it. Use wire or chain to hold it in place. Not string or plastic that can burn or melt but wire or chain that will hold it no mater what.

People have used heat lamps for a long time for a lot of different reasons. If they are used properly they are really safe but the biggest problem is when they are not supported properly. Wire or chain, not that clamp.

 

[bychicken1]

ok thanks

 

[Nmarine1057]

Welcome to BYC! I have had issues with heat lamps before, and burned a rabbit hutch. (no worries no rabbits were harmed) as stated above, if used properly, they work great. My coop is enclosed, and I live in Mississippi, so it doesn't get that cold here, bit If you are looking for a safer option, they do so space heaters you can put in chicken coops. I'll put a link to one below. Hope this helps.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX9K1J...abc_SCB71WCDX2C55X0V802V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Mrs. K]

No, the coop WILL burn if is drops. Really even at those temperature, you really don't need it. Mine routinely live just fine at -25.

 

[Aapomp831]

I'm using a heat lamp for the first time because its going to be like -6 degrees outside... the only thing that worries me is that if it falls to the ground it might burn the chicken coop... or maybe it's too cold for fire to even be started? Any advice for how I can make sure nothing bad happens? It's clamped pretty high up, so no chicknes can eknock it down

Yea - the advice is don’t use one. Instead focus on proper ventilation in your coop. Heat lamps are a terrible idea for coops; chickens are barnyard animals and have evolved to withstand the cold. A cold chicken is just a cold chicken - a wet chicken is a frost bitten and dead chicken.

 

[rosemarythyme]

-6F or C? It's not THAT cold if your chickens are healthy and the coop is draft free.

A coop fire is no joke. Even a well secured lamp is still risky, as cold blasts of air can literally shatter a hot bulb, and hot glass shards on a bedding is enough to igniting bedding.

 

[aart]

bit If you are looking for a safer option, they do so space heaters you can put in chicken coops. I'll put a link to one below. Hope this helps.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX9K1J...abc_SCB71WCDX2C55X0V802V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Those are not necessarily safer, have read a couple of fails on that type.

 

[aart]

-6F or C? It's not THAT cold if your chickens are healthy and the coop is draft free.

A coop fire is no joke. Even a well secured lamp is still risky, as cold blasts of air can literally shatter a hot bulb, and hot glass shards on a bedding is enough to igniting bedding.

Ditto Dat!
Yes, knowing F or C would be most helpful.

I'm using a heat lamp for the first time

Is this your first winter with chickens?
the first one is the toughest, until you realize just how tough they are.
Pics of your coop, inside and out, can help us help you weather(haha!) your first winter.

Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @bychicken1
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
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