Just to be clear: A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) was designed to protect people and equipment from electrical shock. An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) was designed to detect arcing faults in wiring, appliances and equipment, preventing electrical fires. (per eaton.com) So when using the above an arc or spark will be stopped and not cause a fire, but, when using something like an old malfunctioning heating pad (or something else) and it heats up gradually to a combustible temperature the a GFCI/AFCI not sense the malfunction/current surge and a fire may start.
These are not overly expensive and a good idea. If you need to put one of these outside (none of them are rated for out of doors) they must be installed in an 'electrical weatherproof box' that can be found at your local big box home improvement store.
I know we all want to keep our flocks as safe as possible year round so we must do what we can and be vigilant to possible hazards especially fire in our coops.
I hope this helps.
don't let him look at how the guy we bought this place from rewired the barn. I guess the one thing he did right was to use copper. But then it was recent enough that I doubt he could have found aluminum wire anyway.
