Will a heat lamp create a fire even if it doesn’t fall?

[SueT]

You could replace heat lamp bulbs with reptile bulbs, aka ceramic heat emitters. These do not put out light, only heat. They come in different wattages. I use 75 watt for a small brooder. They are not nearly as hot as a heat bulb, but they are hot to touch and so similar safety precautions should be taken. The lack of light lets the chicks sleep all night.

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

LOL, this was my exact original setup; Rubbermaid with green handles, clip handle heat lamp

Turned out good

Manufacturer says 18" away from bulb with those 500w red eyes... I never had any issue. I would make sure the nothing could fly up and stick to the bulb area and also make sure the handle cannot slip. Mine did a few times.

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

I have tested and tested the height of our heat lamps. The temps where the brooder will be will range between 30-50 farenheight. When placing the lamp in the box the temps range between 70-120. In order for my chicks to be warm the lamp will have to hang 12” above the shavings. It’s secured in multiple different ways so that it can’t fall but I would still like to know my fire danger risks. I should add that the chicks will only be in this box for 1-3 weeks depending on how fast they sell.

I just went through the same exercise this weekend.... trying to dial in "distance from ground for 92F" .

Make sure you have flexibility on readjusting the lamp as they feather up. 'No Brahma Poop Sherlock'...

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

You could replace heat lamp bulbs with reptile bulbs, aka ceramic heat emitters. These do not put out light, only heat. They come in different wattages. I use 75 watt for a small brooder. They are not nearly as hot as a heat bulb, but they are hot to touch and so similar safety precautions should be taken. The lack of light lets the chicks sleep all night.
View attachment 1678810

Interesting, I'll look into those. My 'shed'/nursery turns into the red planet after 6PM...

 

[FlyWheel]

I used to use a heating lamp securely fastened, with an additional fiberglass cord safety cord just in case. That is until I went to feed my babies and found them all huddled against one end of the brooder, the other end of which was a black smoldering mess, the hot lamp sitting in the shavings. I almost lost them and my entire garage. No idea how it fell or why the fiberglass safety cord gave away, but that was the day I switched to a Mama Heating Pad and never looked back.

I say why even bother worrying? The MHP uses less electricity (lower cost), let's them enjoy their normal circadian rhythms as they aren't bathed in light 24/7 (I used an LED desk lamp hooked up to an appliance timer for a day night cycle), and they get to grow up the way they would have if an actual mother hen was brooding them. When they get cold they duck under (or climb on top of) the MHP, and venture out when they want. This also encourages them to feather out. It's got everything going for it and nothing against, unless you count being too lazy to put in the little bit of extra work to make it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...er-picture-heavy-update.956958/#post-14882145

 

[HopeSprings]

Just a few days ago I asked about alternatives to the heat lamp that I had bought before reading the dangers. With no one home except the hound when I go to work, I was worried about burning down my house!
I've returned the hood and bulb, and plan to order a heating pad which I'll rig up to hang over the chicks.
I've got a few min-max thermometers which I plan to use to keep track of temps throughout my brooder.
I know I'll sleep better not using the red bulb!

 

[JennieNoelle]

I'm, hopefully, going to have five chicks.
What's the best smallest item I can use to keep them in while growing.
Heat lamp.
Watts.
Feed
Water
Bedding.
It will stay in house in spare room.
Can the heat lamp stay off when I go to work for 3.5 hours and then turn it back on when I return?
This will be my maiden chick stuff.

 

[JennieNoelle]

Just a few days ago I asked about alternatives to the heat lamp that I had bought before reading the dangers. With no one home except the hound when I go to work, I was worried about burning down my house!
I've returned the hood and bulb, and plan to order a heating pad which I'll rig up to hang over the chicks.
I've got a few min-max thermometers which I plan to use to keep track of temps throughout my brooder.
I know I'll sleep better not using the red bulb!

Lmk how that works.
I'm learning too