Yesterday I solved the problem of the West Barn cows water by dragging the emergency water barrel, which was half filled with frozen water all the way round and through the open gate, then into the barn and into their inside barn area so I could run a cable and drop a water heater into it and fill it up with buckets from the other side. (You see their normal watering hole is frozen solid for the winter and their usual winter watering space has been taken over by pigs. ) This was quite a haul and a number of times I had to sit on the side of the heavy water barrel and think about my life, as the snow fell on my face and the wind howled about my head, I had to give myself a good talking to about not being such a baby and this being one of those times I had to pull up my knickers and lift like a girl. Which I did. With the cows and the pigs through the fence and the dogs dancing to and fro – all lending moral support.
I looked at Carlos the IV and wondered about yoking him into a harness and letting him do the pulling. Dexters are supposed to make go0d oxen. But the fastest way to do anything is to put your back into it, do it yourself and Get It Done.
While I dragged this tub half filled with frozen water across the concrete pad I thought about fire.
I manage two old barns. Both of these barns have electricity, but no water. The water is carried in and then heated so it does not freeze solid. So for both of these barns I run long extension cords around the pens (so the pigs cannot chew on them) to the water barrels or heated dog bowls. Not all of these cords are new, not any of the barn wiring is new, fire is not new.
Every year I hear horror stories of heating lamps burning down chicken coops and all the birds, farrowing houses and all the pigs and piglets. A neighbour of mine burnt his whole barn full of pregnant sheep, this was caused by a heating lamp on the first lambs. A Dairy recently burnt killing too many cows. This is awful. It terrifies me. All these animals were locked into their pens.
So, I have two rules. One. If using a heating lamp it is on two chains, firmly attached and in a cage. So if one chain fails, the other catches it. If both fail and it falls the cage keeps it above the straw. I only use heating lamps in the first few days of an animals life if it is cold. And I check them obsessively. And always saying what if – what if. The chickens do not have heat lamps – not even in this cold.
My second rule – Every set of animals has an escape hatch. I have designed every pen so there is always a door open to the outside. Animals and birds do not lie in bed and think “Is that a fire I smell, honey, is that smoke?” Animals get the tiniest whiff of smoke and bolt for the open. In full flight. So I give them all a place to run. Though their beds are out of direct wind, this means that they will be cold. But the animals I live with are ok in cold, I raise no hot house flowers. We call is healthy ventilation. So, their doors stand open all winter except in a severe storm. I have a horror of fire. And a horror of animals and birds in full terror having no-where to run. I would hear their screams forever.
These barns are old, tinder dry and with all the water heating cords running through them and old wiring, I cannot ever be sure that there will never be a fire but I can give the animals a way out. To save themselves.
While I was writing this another farmer and member of The Fellowship was writing about the same thing. She makes some good points.
Good morning. The fear of fire is deep within us and the harnessing of it with respect for its power to destroy. The knowledge of it is a good thing. We do not play with fire here.
Much love,
celi
ps. Today I am going shopping. So I may not be back before dark then I will have to do chores in the dark. So maybe there will be no blog page tomorrow. Maybe.
The Kitchen's Garden 
78 responses to “Fear of Fire”
Fire .. The word chills me. I think you are wonderful caring so much for your animals and giving them escape options.
Well, I haven’t tried the cage, but I also hang the heat lamp with one line and then a 2nd line…just in case. http://www.haveadanehilldanes.com
There are heated rocks for iguanas – pet supplies. But still have cords to plug in. Fire is very much a concern. I am so glad you have escape hatches for the animals. There have been stable fires here with trapped horses – their desperation and screams would follow you forever. With a wind break, walls, and a dry bed with plenty of hay, animals can stay warm. A little fresh air never hurt a crowded barn. You’re a smart one.
Summer project of running metal pipes that could house wires in winter? PVC melts in fire and gives off toxic fumes.
Not ready for summer, but a loooong sunny spring would be wonderful for everyone.
Please be careful hauling heavy stuff – that body has to last and function well a looooong time.
Yes. I agree about the metal pipes, I could do that right now actually, the pvc was for animals chewing on the wire – not stopping a fire. Maybe we should do research as to what POINT a fire is more likely to start – is it at the wall socket for instance (which would be my guess) – can a fire start in the middle of a line? And where should one do this research..c
I’m trying to relay what husband is saying (he keeps up with your farmy pictures and got a laugh over the tucking in of pigs). He says:
Use conduit instead of pipe as it is cheaper because it is thinner and will work fine. Comes in 10-20 ft. lengths that you couple together (using screws) and there are pre-bent pieces if you need them. (If you use big enough conduit, you can slid cords in and out as needed)
Extension cords must be heavy outdoor gage and check the rating (The longer the distance, the bigger the wire must be and the rating is a lower number.) Our heavy construction extension cords are orange…the thin green ones at home depot will not work.
Also. You have to be careful plugging extension cords together: each time you do that resistance is increase which creates heat.(fire potential) Devices and appliances normally tell you how many extension cords are safe to use together – or if it is even safe to use them with extension cords. (You can duck tape/electrical tape cords together that are inside conduit to make sure they stay together.)
HE started telling me how you could just get a big copper wire (low gauge number) and get an electrician to wire a plug at one end and a socket at the other…and on and on until I ask if he wanted to volunteer his services. He’s not a fan of cold however. Still he said talk to some electricians or someone who knows wiring about possibilities and who can see exactly what the site requires.
I don’t know if extension cords in your cold climate get brittle/risk cracking over time – somebody up there ought to know if they need to be replaced yearly or something to stay safe?
I think the biggest concern for fire starting would be at the source of electricity in the barn…multiple plugs in sockets can be risky…once again ask electrician how many are safe?
More than you ever wanted to know…but maybe a starting point.
Oh, in cold weather, keep those hands from cracking with lotion! Cold is so hard on skin.
Fog lifted and a but of sun so off to make use of that. HUGS
Thank husband – all good advice. My father would give me a clip round the ears if I overloaded a socket and I never combine two extension cords. Ours are big and thick and EXPENSIVE so I feel better knowing they are good – and yes he is right – I need more plugs.. much love and thank you both! c
And then there’s the circuits and breakers…but those for much warmer weather.
Whew, feeling better with your hefty cords.