OUCH! 250w Red Bulb

[enggass]

Is it normal for a bulb of this type to rack up my electric bill when it is on 24/7?
My electric bill has skyrocketed since having it on.
Has anyone else noticed this?
Steve

 

[Wolfwoman]

Holy CRAP!! Mine are under a 75W and are just fine! Might want to get a lower wattage bulb... unless you have a HUGE brooder!

 

[gryeyes]

Uhhhh, yup.

 

[enggass]

My birds are now 5 weeks old. They are in a brooder that is 3'x4'. I can get the light with 24" of the bottom.
What size bulb could I get away with... ?

 

[Wolfwoman]

5 weeks old, if they are pretty much feathered out, I'd say none. Mine were outside at that age.

 

[forrestacres]

My 10 chicks (5 wks today) are in the coop with a 75W bulb and they are plenty warm. No chick piles (as opposed to pig piles) in my coop.

 

[enggass]

I just swapped it out with a 75w house bulb. Man, that was worse then my dehumidifier!

 

[Wolfwoman]

LMAO!! What is your brooder like? If it's closed in, then you should be able to get away with a smaller bulb for future chicks.

 

[halo]

I never use more than a 60 watt. I just lower the lamp to 12 inches or so when they are first hatched and slowly raise it as needed.

 

[enggass]

It's closed in except for the top. They will be fine now.
In fact, the other day after changing their water and food, I went to work and had forgotten to put the light back.
They went all day without any light.