AITA-Hens Survive Backyard Conflagration
Lesson Learned: DO NOT USE HEAT LAMPS for POULTRY!!!
9 am: Noted 20-degree Fahrenheit weather. Hung infrared poultry brooder/heat lamp in coop, turned on.
9:30 am: Happy Hens clucking contentedly.
1 pm: While putting in storm windows, notice BALL OF FLAME at bottom of hill.
1:01 pm: Sprint down hill, wonder for one second if the garden hose will reach. Make administrative decision, screw the garden hose…
1:02 pm: Call Tamworth Fire Department screaming that my hens are burning and sparks are close to the house.
1:07 pm: Tamworth Emergency Services arrive on the scene.
1:15 pm: Flames extinguished. Exploded/possibly shorted out heat lamp noted as source of fire.
(No hens were actually harmed during the events of the fire, as they were free-ranging & sunning themselves on the edge of the yard)
OTHER LESSONS LEARNED:
- Chickens can do without a heat lamp if you have a cozy, southward-facing coop, protected from the wind.
- The Tamworth Fire Department is awesome.
- 911 actually works.
- I have the best neighbor in the world. (See pic of new “Coop Raising” below…)
