Careful with your heat lamps.

[lagrange chicks]

There has been 3 chicken coop fires in our area the past couple weeks with one taking a barn also.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

I recommend everyone to use heat plates for this reason. Heat lamps are too much of a hazard, both for the chicks, you, and your entire house. The chicks can fly up and burn themselves to death on the heat lamp if they get startled; chickens see in slow motion, so lights are an annoyance; you can burn yourself if you're not careful; and worse than burning yourself, you can burn your whole house down.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Good advise. If you are using a heat lamp use a grill guard over the bulb and a 2 point security chain to mount. Don't rely on the clamp itself.

 

[WoDia]

I ONLY use flat-panel radiant heaters. Safer option.

 

[ChickyWhicky]

I do utilize heat lamps BUT I secure that thing like my life depends on it! I have been known to fashion metal tie wire, zipties, rope, ect. to ensure that thing is not going anywhere. Never ever rely on the clamp and make sure during any scenerio (it gets pushed, knocked, touched, pulled) that it's not going to move.

 

[WoDia]

I used a few heat lamps for mine years ago. I did EVERYTHING too to secure every part of the fixtures. I stopped using any when I went out on one 0-degree morning, and I found the bulb had exploded inside the protective cage and the tinier pieces were laying on the bedding beneath. I watched my chickens closely for days following that, because I was very worried one or more may have ingested a piece of glass. FORTUNATELY, it all turned out fine. But, that’s when I decided either a safer heat source or no heat at all.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I try to only use my flat panel but I've got an unexpected/emergency hatch (long story), and we got frigid temps coming here in Michigan so I may need both.
A thermometer at floor level is a must have also when using a heat lamp. Besides burning down your coop... DON'T cook your babies.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

I do have to admit that, as much I don't like them, I have used heat lamps so many times before. Overall, definitely not the safest option, but of course it still works. Whenever I pass by the brooder I always check the temperature with one of those heat thermometer things (I forgot what you really call them). I also let the chicks out so they can roam around on the floor during the day with supervision so they can get away from the heat a few times like they would if their dam was raising them.