Fire Safety in the Coop and Barn

This was an excellent article! I agree with all points, Fire safety is always important to watch out for. We have always worried about a fire in our coop, and have also taken extra precautions by using a metal cage around the heat lamp and making sure it is secure with nothing around to burn or melt. Brinsea's chick heating brooder and pad are very helpful and we have used them over and over again for our chicks. I agree that if your chickens have a windproof coop with minimal drafts, nearly all chicken breeds in most climates don't even need supplemental heat. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

I liked this article. I'm a lil new to all of this, so I did use extension cord at first. I have two heat Lamps in my coop, but have now hard wired my coop. The heat lamps are secured because as mentioned, the clamps can come loose. I only turn the lamps on when its gonna be 32 degree's or less, at night, then I'll leave them on until temp's get up to about 50 degree's. I live in South texas, so I don't get as cold as most of yall, but I do wanna keep my Hen's comfortable so that they can lay all Winter long.

I have power in my coops and I use heat lamps with the 6 chicks I'm raising and for the water heater bases. They're on the multi purpose side of my main coop. I also use baby monitors for all my coops. My heat lamps are clamped to boards and have wire holding them in place. I started initially using them with some of the more exotic bantams I was given that weren't cold hardy. Mine are timers set to come on for a few hours in the morning and evening, just enough to knock off the chill - except for use with the chicks. My coop at night, chick side is lit up from their heat lamp.

One thing that wasn't mentioned in the article is it's a good idea to install smoke detectors inside and keep a fire extinguisher handy.

A good warning and its true that too many people heat the coop as soon as is freezing day and night.

But we often do need something to heath the water.

To avoid the need of extra warmth by lamps or heath pads, make the wise choices. :

• No young chicks in the end of the summer or in the autumn. So you have only adult chickens when its getting cold.
• Buy breeds that do well in cold climates. (there is a list somewhere on BYC).
• Keep ventilation openings open but protect them from cold winds.
• Its better to use straw and not wood shavings for isolation.

Good article!
But if you make a few Wool Hens for the chicks to get under, you don't even need any heat lamps. A properly constructed Wool Hen will keep the babies as warm as a real Momma Hen.

I absolutely agree with the fact that chickens don't need heat lamps (except as chicks). I also agree with what was said about securing a heat lamp if you do use it. Once when we weren't at home our heat lamp fell into the chicks' brooder and almost caught fire. My mom panicked because the house was almost caught on fire, but I was more worried about the chicks (like always).

Thanks for taking the time to make this article to help prevent fires.

You should have at least one fire extinguisher for every outbuilding that has electrical wiring within. Coop, barn, garage, shed, etc. A handy extinguisher could be the difference between minor damage or a total loss.

Many people shove heaters or heat lamps, with wires hanging out, in coops and barns. Unaware of the tragedy that follows. I hope everyone sees this article and takes precautions.

I never thought about dusting regularly. I'm going to. Have to go Out and do that today. I don't have heat light in but I have a light until 9 on.

great article, every chicken keeper should read this!

Well written! Must be aware of fire danger and this highlights all the important things on how to safeguard your coops and barns!

Good tips for preventing coop fires!

Excellent tips on how to prevent coop fires.

A must read on safety. Well written with additional helpful links. Really does highlight the dangers.