Should Heat Lamps be Used?

My initial answer to this question is: avoid them at all costs, they are extremely
dangerous and one of the leading causes of fires in barns!  But living here in
Michigan keeps us from that luxury.  If you are in a situation where you can build,
then there are a lot of options to keeping birthing pens relatively warm and draft
free.  Otherwise, sometimes it's just plain necessary to use heat lamps.  

I personally will only use a heat lamp on newborns and only for a couple days.  I
will only use them if it is under 20 degrees, sometimes turning it off during the day.
 If it is below freezing, but above 20, then I'll just put sweaters on them.  
Sometimes there are newborns that seem weak or tired, I consider these "at risk"
for hypothermia, or hypothermic starvation.  I would use a lamp for these guys too.
   

I have strict personal rules with heat lamps and follow them the best I can.
Heat Lamps
Sleepy Z Goat Farm

Hastings, Michigan
Call:  (269) 945-6247
email:  sleepyz@mei.net
Safety with Heat Lamp
*Use ground fault outlets
*Never use extension cords
*Never hang lamp by its cord
(but secure it for "back up")
*Always securely mount a metal rack under the lamp
*Always triple mount the lamp itself
*Always keep lamp away from hay feeder or where
a goat can drop hay

I have one other suggestion for heat lamps, this info
came from my vet.  He said the white lamps heat
the air, red lamps warm what the light touches.  In
other words, white lamps would have to hang lower
in order to do any good.

In this photo, I have a rabbit cage partition screwed
securely to the 2x4.  It's hard to tell in this photo, but
the lamp is not near that 2x4.  I have a chain
attached to the hanger on the lamp and screwed to
the 2x4 above.  I also have the clamp attached to
the chain.  When possible I securely attach the
clamp to a second structure.  I have also pinched
the clamp onto the cord.  This keeps the cord from
"hanging" the lamp.  As you can see, I have also
created a secondary "back-up" hanger out of the
cord.  The lamp is not hanging from the cord, it just
provides additional security.  These two boys have
a triplet, the third boy is off running around.  They
are ready to go without the heat lamp at just a day
old.