Heat lamp for piglets: how to choose and hang it safely
, by Michael van Wassem, 4 min reading time
A heat lamp keeps piglets warm, but it also brings a fire risk. Here is how to choose, hang and check it safely.
A newborn piglet gets cold quickly. A heat lamp can create a warm spot, but it is also one of the most underestimated fire risks in a barn. This article shows how to choose, hang and check a lamp, so that warmth is not a gamble.
The short answer
A heat lamp is only safe if it hangs in a shade with ventilation holes, from a chain or bracket (never from the cable), far enough from straw and floor, and with a cooler spot next to it where the piglets can move away. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and ask an electrician to check if you are unsure.
Why piglets need extra warmth
Newborn piglets cannot yet regulate their body temperature well and have little fat for insulation. A dry, draught-free resting place with straw is therefore important, especially in the cold months. A lamp is one way to make a warm corner; a well-arranged nest area without draughts does at least as much.
💡 A heat lamp is only for young animals. Adult pigs need the opposite: cooling, such as shade, water and a place to root or wallow. How much extra warmth your piglets need depends on the barn, draughts and the size of the litter. Ask your vet or an experienced pig keeper.
The biggest risk: fire
A heat lamp gets hot. Straw, wood shavings, dust, cobwebs and moisture increase the risk, and a lamp that falls or slips can start a fire within a short time. So never treat a heat lamp as a device you can switch on and forget.
⚠️ No lamp is guaranteed safe. Good fixing, distance and checks reduce the risk, but they do not remove it.
Choosing lamp and shade
A heat lamp has two parts: a lamp shade with cable and an infrared lamp. The shade is often supplied without a lamp, so choose the lamp separately. Our range includes shades with 5 metres of cable, with or without an economy switch, and separate lamps from 100 to 250 watts in red and white.
| Part | Choice | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lamp shade | with or without economy switch | the switch halves the power; suitable for lamps up to 150 W |
| Hard-glass lamp | 150 or 250 W | sturdy, durable glass |
| Energy-saving lamp | 100 or 175 W | uses less electricity than a standard lamp |
| Colour | red or white | the colour says nothing about the heat; red light is less glaring |
A 250 W lamp therefore does not fit in the shade with economy switch. Only use a shade and lamp that the manufacturer intends for this purpose and that fit together.
Hanging it safely: checklist
- Always use a shade. The shades in our range are splash-proof to IPX4 and have air holes against overheating.
- Carry the shade on a chain or bracket, not on the cable. A second fixing point means the lamp does not fall if one breaks.
- Keep at least 60 cm between lamp and floor, as the product information for the shade asks. Also keep plenty of distance from straw, wood and walls.
- Make sure piglets and sow cannot touch or knock over the shade.
- Route the cable out of reach of chewing animals and use an earthed, dry socket.
- Remove dust and cobwebs regularly. Switch the lamp off first and let it cool down.
- Check lamp, chain and cable every day.
Let the piglets show you whether it is right
If the piglets lie close together under the lamp, it is too cold. If they lie apart or look for the edge, it is too warm. Then hang the lamp higher or lower and always give the piglets a cooler place to go to. Reduce the warmth as they grow.
Common mistakes
- Letting the lamp hang from its cable.
- Hanging the lamp too low, just above the straw.
- Not offering a cooler place to move away.
- Combining a lamp and shade that do not fit together.
- Leaving the lamp on for days without checks.
Frequently asked questions
Is a red lamp warmer than a white one?
No. The warmth depends on the power in watts. Red light is less glaring, so many keepers choose it for a barn with young animals.
Does every piglet nest need a lamp?
Not necessarily. It depends on the barn, draughts, the outside temperature and the litter. A vet or experienced pig keeper can help you judge this.
Can I use an ordinary lamp from a DIY store?
Only use a shade and lamp that the manufacturer intends for this purpose, and follow the maximum wattage of the shade.
Summary
- A heat lamp is only for young piglets.
- Hang it in a shade, from a chain or bracket, never from the cable.
- Keep distance from straw and floor and check every day.
- Always give the piglets a cooler place.
Conclusion
A heat lamp can help, but it needs attention. Good fixing, the right combination of shade and lamp and daily checks make the difference. For the rules on keeping pigs, check with the competent authorities in your country.
Sources
- Wageningen University & Research: knowledge on pig welfare
- RVO and NVWA: rules for keeping pigs (Netherlands)
- Product information from the manufacturer of lamp and shade
⭐ Add Fidello as a preferred source on Google
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