Heat Lamp Risk

[FjordBCRF]

Not entirely sure if this belongs in horse care, but I need some insight. BO has chickens in a stall in the horse barn and has pulled out a heat lamp with the colder weather coming in. Everything I’ve ever heard about heat lamps is they carry a high risk of starting a fire. I talked to a couple people today that validated that concern further; one being a farmer whose two cents was heat lamps have taken more lives than Stalin . The chicken stall is next to where the hay is stored, which is next to the tractor and the gator which are next to the sawdust pile. Lots of close accelerant if ignition were to happen.

I approached BO with the concern as this something that may be a deal breaker for me. There been a lot of issues lately and this on top of everything didn’t make her very receptive which I was expecting and at least managed to have a civil conversation.

If the chickens were in another area not attached to the horses…not an issue. It would likely be an act of god to relocate the chickens before anyone asks if that’s a possibility. The middle ground that we seemed to meet on at least for the short term is that it wouldn’t be on overnight unless it’s super cold…which still has me feeling unsettled.

I’ve not raised chickens, but the folks I know who have them don’t use heat lamps and the chickens make it through the very cold as long as they have adequate shelter. Where is your risk tolerance in this situation?

[stargzng386]

It’s actually worse to use a heat lamp with chickens because it makes them more likely to get sick. Most backyard chicken fb groups recommend not using heat unless a bird is young or already sick. It’s an awful idea and something that would keep me up at night. There are much safer panel heaters about $100 that are significantly safer.

[horsepoor]

My risk tolerance would be very low, as in, I’d be outta there. Too much of a fire risk for me.

I boarded at a place that had a whole collection of cats. We smelled something burning one day and investigated, as one does when one smells burning in a barn (like panic and seek out source!). BM had put a heat lamp INSIDE the barn washing machine, with cat bed on top, to keep the cats toasty warm. It was melting the inside of the washer! I am so glad we were there to catch it in time. BM felt terrible, it was a dumb thing to do for the right reason (she loved those cats).

[FjordBCRF]

I got feelers out to a few new barns today. The one unfortunately has a waitlist, but I have time set to go meet and see the place in person, and the other I sent an intro message to not that long ago, so hopefully I’ll hear more tomorrow. And see what else is out there.

[cayuse]

I’d have no tolerance for a heat lamp either, My hubby is a volunteer fireman, he’s seen things. Good luck with your barn search

[FjordBCRF]

I’m not surprised!

There is an on-site person at least, not that I have great confidence that they would notice something in the middle of the night before it’s too late. But. I talked to the girl that lives there and she was happy to lend her wifi so I offered BO to buy heat sensors that would connect to our phones and would alert of there was big temp change. She had no interest in that either. So it’s just sheer ignorance at this point which has become more of a pattern across the board than I prefer.

[2DogsFarm]

Until you can relocate, if this helps at all, I’ve used a red bulb heatlamp in my chicken coop for over 10yrs.
Chickens produce a good amount of dust & I’ve never had a problem.
I do keep the heatlamp shade wiped clean of dust.

For the poster who claims heatlamps make chickens sick, not in my experience.
In fact, I can tell when the chickens appreciate the added warmth, as they roost nearest the heatlamp.
Mostly it’s left on overnight, but my latest flock - 3 hens & a rooster - will stay in the coop & under the lamp on colder (below 20F) days.
Their choice, as coop.is open to their fenced yard.

[FjordBCRF]

It does have a red bulb, so that is very helpful thank you, and one of the other boarders went out and bought the thing brand new because the on BO was going to use must have looked scary to her

On the good news side of things, I reached out via text to our first trainer and I’ve got a call set up with her tomorrow morning. She’s got a stall available and would be happy to take us. She trains out of a barn 30 mins away which I know isnt much to a lot of people but it will be a big change for me. I’ve been there before and the place is lovely, plus training with her again would be great. The board is also twice as expensive of course but that is literally the least of my worries at this point. And to some degree you certainly get what you pay for.

I also have a friend whose horses I helped worked for 16 years before I got my gelding and she is very choosy. She has had her now grown daughters pony mare there as part of their lesson program for over a year now and boarded another over the winter for indoor arena access.

Fingers crossed as soon as this weather moves through we will be on to new adventures.

[2DogsFarm]

Good news on your move

Not to add worry, but the red bulb is used because chickens don’t see red*, so it’s dark in the coop to them. It’s not any less hot than a clear bulb.

*a conundrum, because they will peck at a bloody wound, which is why you use blu-kote or dust on a wound.

[lenapesadie]

I personally wouldn’t use a heat lamp in a barn. It seems people do, but for me and my horses that’s a nope.

When I was boarding I came to the conclusion that most often you do get what you pay for. Good care is costly.

[FjordBCRF]

@lenapesadie Agreed on all sentiments.

The sad thing is, I didn’t move to this barn for the price. I knew multiple people that had boarded with the BO while she was doing shared leases on a facilities. All had very good things to say about standard of care which was what I most concerned about. Now that she has her own place and is on the hook for every little thing, many things have dropped down former priority lists and/or there is no money to maintain things let alone improve.

[McGurk]

Yes, heat lamps are dangerous, and no, adult chickens that are already inside a barn don’t need one.

I’d be moving my horse.

If there’s any delay in moving your horse, buy the BO a brooder panel heater -

MUCH safer than a heat lamp. They can be set at a variety of heights. There’s a bunch of them on Amazon and Tractor Supply carries them as well.

[GoodTimes]

Count me as another chicken owner who hates heat lamps. They need to be kept clean, inspected regularly for any cracks,etc, and need to be hung securely. A clamp is not sufficient.

My chickens live in an insulated coop with lots of ventilation. The walls beside the roosts each have a small panel heater that gets turned on at night if any of the girls are molting, or when it’s below -15C. I have a heated dog bowl to keep their water from freezing. I’m in Ontario, they do just fine during the winter.

[NancyM]

I’d get outta there asap, You are correct to be concerned. Chickens don’t need heat lamps. I don’t like any electrical appliances in barns, especially if horses are locked into stalls, that includes fans etc. There is always a risk… it’s a risk I don’t accept. Good luck.

[fledermaus]

Adult, feathered chickens do not need additional heat, almost anywhere in the continental US. Baby chicks do, and the safe way to do this is with a brooder heat plate, there are several brands. They cost a lot more than heat lamps but are much cheaper than a barn.

Also, as mentioned above, chickens create a hellalot of dust and they make poor barn mates for horses because of that.

I personally know TWO people whose barns burned down because of a heat lamp. Considering I probably only know max twenty people who even own barns, that’s awfully high. I would never never use a heat lamp in a barn. Ever, ever, ever. And I would never board at a barn that uses one. My barn burned last year (no animal losses but every other thing lost), it was struck by lightning. I know what a barn fire is like. Would not wish it on my worst enemy.

[punchy]

We had a rooster at the track who used to snuggle up next to the coffee pot all morning. I realize that has nothing to do with this debate, but it was nice to see a rooster next to your coffee first thing.

[Jarpur]

@NancyM

I don’t like any electrical appliances in barns, especially if horses are locked into stalls, that includes fans etc.

Same here.

[FjordBCRF]

At this point I am anxiously awaiting to get a call from my first trainer so I can get something cemented with taking her stall and arranging a move in day. My hope is that I will be able to move him Monday at the latest, unless we could arrange something as fast as tomorrow. Today is our cold cold day and we haven’t had much in the way of snow accumulation but really high wind gusts. Tomorrow isn’t going to be much worse than Sunday and Monday. I have a fully enclosed two horse trailer and the haul is prob about 45 mins so we should be able to manage.

@NancyM - yep same here and this place isn’t on top of that very well either, as you might imagine. Heck, even at home, if the dryer is running and I need to leave, I turn that off!

[Jarpur]

@FjordBCRF

Heck, even at home, if the dryer is running and I need to leave, I turn that off!

Ditto. Dryer is a leading (if not the leading) cause of home fires. I never leave the dryer running when I’m not home, or going upstairs to bed.

There are no fire hydrants around here, and a volunteer fire department is who would respond – a great semi-professional, well-equipped volunteer force, but still. . .

[ABookworm]

I have Kalgo Infrared Heaters in my barn over every stall, every cross tie section, and the wash rack. I never leave them on if I’m in the barn and the only time I’ve ever used them is yesterday with the Polar Vortex as my girls wanted in and had snow on their necks. They got put in crossties with a quick mash to dry off with the help of the heaters.

The heaters in the barn are a constant source of stress for me because I love having my tack room heated but it’s a baseboard heater so I worry about fire risk. The stall heaters never get used because I worry about hay or the dry bedding going up in flames.