I rarely add anything to the water. Some do. Food and water should be kept away from the heated end, Who wants to drink hot/warm water? Randy, I have never used a 250 watt heat bulb. I use 100 watt or less incandescent bulbs. BUT if I had a few hundred in one big room I would use a 250 watt---maybe two to heat sections but the food and water would stay out away from the heat. Look at these pics---over 100 chicks and only 1 75 watt bulb in the day at 40 degree's at night in the 20's I burn 2 with a thick blanket throwed over this 1/2 cut 250 gallon barrel----temp monitored. How much heat you need is according to your set-up. 3rd pic is one of the members on here's set-up. 1-- 40 watt bulb and the chicks adjust theirself to be comfortable.
