As spring approaches, many ranchers prepare a clean, dry and warm place for newborn animals. Frigid temperatures make it a challenge to keep newborn livestock warm and protected from harsh winter elements.
One option is to provide supplemental heat from heat lamps but severe risks can accompany their use inside a barn.
“As livestock producers, we want to do everything in our power to establish the best outcome for our newborn stock,” says Travis Hoffman, North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota Extension sheep specialist.
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“Sometimes we need to help our newborn livestock by providing supplemental heat to prevent hypothermia.”
The lower critical temperature for newborn lambs and kids is 10 C. Providing additional heat with heat lamps inside a “hot box” can aid in survival.
Unfortunately, heat lamps add fire risk, especially when placed over deep, bedded straw.
“The risk of barn fires increases anytime you add a heating system to your barn, especially the use of heat lamps,” says Angie Johnson, NDSU Extension farm and ranch safety co-ordinator. She advises ranchers to use extreme caution and preventive measures when using them.
Johnson and Hoffman provide the following tips to reduce the risk of fire:
- Secure all heat lamps with a non-flammable hanger. The best option is to use a chain and a locking chain connector to prevent the heat lamp from falling into the straw. Do not use twine or rope. Heat lamps should be secured as if they are permanent.
- Buy high-quality, heavy-duty heat lamps and thick glass bulbs. Use a heat lamp designed to withstand a fall and lie in a pen without starting a fire. Use heat lamp bulbs that won’t break if they fall into the pen. Farm and ranch stores that specialize in lambing and kidding equipment have heat lamp and bulb options.
- Clean off dust, cobwebs and dead insects before using the heat lamp.
- Inspect heat lamps for exposed wiring, loose bulb sockets or broken bulbs stuck in the socket before using.
- Plug the heat lamp directly into an outlet, not via an extension cord. Outlet receptacles should be equipped with both ground fault and arc fault. An arc fault is an unintended arc created by a current flowing through an unplanned path that could create a fire, such as a heat lamp sparking when knocked into the pen. Don’t overload the circuit.
- Place a fire extinguisher near each entrance of the barn.
- Consider investing in a barn temperature monitoring system or fire monitoring system.
“Using heat lamps in your barn means that ranchers must be diligent in checking the heat lamps every day, multiple times a day,” says Johnson.
“If one animal bumps the heat lamp or chews on the electrical cord, causing exposed wires, a barn fire could easily occur in minutes. However, with proper safety considerations, heat lamps can be a viable option for protecting newborn livestock.”
