New Chick Care: How to prevent chicken brooder/heat lamp fires

Newly hatched baby chicks require special care during their earliest days, including a warm, safe environment to thrive in. Proper heating is essential not only for their health but also their safety, as the wrong setup might pose serious fire hazards. In this guide, we'll explore the best options for new chick care and safety, including how to prevent chicken brooder and heat lamp fires.

Why Keeping Baby Chicks Warm Is Important

Chicks are born without the ability to regulate their body temperature effectively and instead rely on their mother to keep them cozy and warm. Without proper heat, chicks can become chilled, which leaves them vulnerable to illness or even death. Maintaining a stable and appropriate heat source is critical to your new chicks' survival during their first few weeks of life.

Skip the Space Heater: Why Brooders Are Best

Not all heat sources are created equal. While it may be tempting to use a space heater or heat lamp, these options are not safe for new chicks. Space heaters can overheat or fail to provide the consistent warmth baby chickens need. Plus, space heaters and heat lamps can pose serious fire risks. They don't have the same safety features that come with other types of heat sources made for chicken coops.

Instead, brooders designed specifically for chickens are the ideal choice. The K&H Thermo-Poultry Brooder is an excellent option for baby chicks. It comes in two sizes, and its height can be adjusted so you can use the brooder as your chicks grow. It's also economical, using only 25 watts for the small size and 40 watts for the large size.

Setting Up and Maintaining Your Heat Source

Whichever heat source you choose, you want to set it up correctly and check it regularly. This includes:

• Placement. Place the heat source in a draft-free area. If using a heat lamp, make sure it's positioned at the correct height to provide a temperature of about 95°F (the ideal starting temperature for baby chicks). Or use a brooder plate, which is designed to be kept very close to your chicks and poses much less of a fire danger.

• Give the chicks room to move. The brooder or lamp should provide enough warmth for the chicks to gather under when they're cold but also allow them space to move away if they get too warm. This gives chicks some control over their comfort and helps prevent overheating since they can't regulate their own temperatures when they're newly born.

• Minimize fire risks. If you use a heat lamp, make sure it's securely positioned so it won't fall and catch the bedding on fire. If hanging a heat lamp, use a secure chain and not a cord that can fray or break. And never place a lamp too close to bedding. Heat lamps should be at least 20 inches from anything flammable.

• Avoid water splashing on bulbs. If you use a heat bulb, look for explosion-proof glass. Or opt for a brooder plate, which doesn't have this concern.

• Inspect regularly. Regularly inspect your heat source for damage or signs of wear and tear. A cracked bulb or frayed wire can be a big risk.

• Read the instructions. Read the instructions and follow all the safety warnings listed for the product of your choice.

If you're looking for a safe and easy-to-use heat source after the chicks are a month old, a great option is the K&H Thermo-Peep Heated Pad. Its internal thermostat maintains the ideal temperature for baby chicks. This pad can be used on the floor or mounted onto the wall, and the power cord has 18 inches of steel capping for safety.

Another great option is the K&H Thermo-Chicken Heated Pad, which can be used for younger chicks (at least 30 days old) or adult chickens that need to stay warm in frigid winters. The pad uses only 40 watts and has an internal thermostat for temperature regulation. You can also use this pad on the floor or mount it to a wall.

Use MET-Safety Certified Products

Choose a heat source that's UL or MET-safety certified. This means the product passed rigorous safety testing to comply with government and industry standards.

K&H heated products for chickens are all MET safety tested and certified. MET Laboratories, Inc. certifies millions of products to UL and CSA standards for both the United States and Canada. MET Laboratories, Inc. is also an OSHA-licensed Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. All this testing means you can put your mind at ease when using K&H heated products.

Keep an Eye on the Temperature

Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature in the brooding area. You want to check the temperature daily for about the first month to ensure you don't lose any chicks.

For the first few weeks, chicks typically need a temperature of about 95°F, with the temperature decreased by about 5°F each week until they are four weeks old. Adjust your brooder's settings or reposition your heat source as needed to help maintain the correct temperature. A heat lamp, for example, can be raised to a taller height to help decrease the temperature in the brooding area.

You can stop using a brooder heater for chicks once they are fully feathered and capable of regulating their own body temperature (around six weeks). Heated pads can be used throughout the year whenever you sense a chill in the air.

A Cozy Start for Happy, Healthy Chicks

By providing a warm, safe environment, you're giving your new chicks the best start possible. Choosing the right heating equipment, setting it up carefully, and staying vigilant about safety will help ensure your little flock grows up healthy and strong.

This article is part of a series on caring for new chicks. Make sure you follow us on Instagram for the next article, New Chick Care: How to safely move a chick from brooder to coop.