Thank you for the words of caution Lynne and Woodmort. I won't use my heat lamp anymore. I did use it last year and triple secured it so it wouldn't be able to come down, and had it up high so it would only help on the roosts and the chickens couldn't touch it. But I always had that "playing with fire" feeling in my gut, even though I felt it was secure. I read the sad stories of the coops burning down and killing all the flock. Are heat lamps also prone to wiring fires? Anyway, I'm done with it and don't want to tempt fate anymore.
Is it just as hazardous with the reptile type ceramic light? Is the hazard besides that it may fall down, that it could also ignite fires in bedding from a distance? Or does the wiring itself not hold up to hours of use?
But my flat panel heater, that I can't part with! It's staying!
How about these cookie tin heaters for waterers? https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=107951
I used one of them last year and had no problems. They are contained and seem safe to me... I used a plastic waterer which worked well with it. But would it be safer with a metal waterer? I was kind of afraid the chicken's lips may get stuck on the metal when wet and freezing, so I went with plastic.
I'm kidding!!!!
About the lips, but I am serious about the question of metal or plastic waterers on the heaters.
Thanks for everyone's help and words of caution.
Is it just as hazardous with the reptile type ceramic light? Is the hazard besides that it may fall down, that it could also ignite fires in bedding from a distance? Or does the wiring itself not hold up to hours of use?
But my flat panel heater, that I can't part with! It's staying!
How about these cookie tin heaters for waterers? https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=107951
I used one of them last year and had no problems. They are contained and seem safe to me... I used a plastic waterer which worked well with it. But would it be safer with a metal waterer? I was kind of afraid the chicken's lips may get stuck on the metal when wet and freezing, so I went with plastic.
Thanks for everyone's help and words of caution.