The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Castle Farm on February 04, 2016, 02:30:40 pm
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With another breeding season looming I wondered if anyone has costed the incubator and heat lamp cost on a batch of say 40 chicks up to off lamp stage.
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I did it once but it was based on a Brinsea Octagon 20. If you take as an example an Octagon 40 which will take 48 hen eggs which on a good hatch might give 40 chicks, they quote typical 44w for incubator and cradle. That comes to about 1Kwh per day so 21 Kwh to hatch.
I use those electric hens which use far lees electricity than a lamp I think. The Brinsea is rated at 50w so that would be 1.2Kwh per day for say 42 days although in good weather shorter than that. Also not sure you can get 40 x 6 week old birds under one. Anyway, that's 50Kwh approx.
So, approx 70Kwh to 6 weeks at approx 10p/Kwh is £7. With a 150w heat lamp, that would rise to something like £17 I think.
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Would that be an average electric used or the maximum at any time? As the heating element switches on and of to maintain the correct tempt so must used a lot more in a cold garage rather than a warm utility room.
The difference is probably pretty small compared to what a poor hatch rate would add .
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The lamps run at about £7 a month problem you need 2 in case 1 goes I've checked the cost of bulbs and the best 3 months avarage 2 months before it blows .So naw I'm thinking ceramic heat lamps not qwite as good .The Philips will last 6 months if you can find them .I costed some silkies and the cost was £12 each that's for a small hen whith the wether a lot harder Iv just finished a 3 month hatch .Using medicated chick crumbs . Work 4 times a day water food and bedding .