derek_coleman•1d agoProlific Poster

Neighbor said my coop was a fire hazard

Told me my heat lamp was too close to dry shavings. Two inches closer and it could've sparked. Moved all lamps to metal brackets with wire guards now. Changed my whole setup after that lecture. Anyone else have a close call with heat lamps?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_sandra1d ago

yeah that neighbor probably saved you from a real bad situation honestly. i had a heat lamp fall off a hook one night and land right in the middle of the shavings. came out the next morning and there was a charred spot the size of a dinner plate already smoldering. if i'd been asleep another hour my whole shed would've gone up. switched to those wire cages with the clamps that screw tight and never looked back. your mileage may vary but i also started using a thermometer with an auto shutoff just in case. it's one of those things where you don't think about it until it almost happens.

parker22422h ago

That story about the charred spot the size of a dinner plate @the_sandra that's wild. I used to think people were being over dramatic about heat lamps and fires. Figured as long as it wasn't touching anything directly it was fine. But after my neighbor showed me how fast dry shavings can catch from just a few inches away I felt dumb honestly. Now I check my brackets every few weeks and keep a fire extinguisher right by the door. Better that awkward conversation than losing my whole flock.