Joel:
The problem with these bulbs is that they lose "power" quickly. I'll have to replace them every 4 months if I burn them 8 hours a day. However, I probably won't be burning them that often, for my birds are in the playroom for most of the day and I have other light fixtures out there that are what you recommend.
This was to give my known ex-pluckers a foot up and to effectively light the darker corners of a room efficiently.
I do really like the Featherlite bulbs. They come in 15 and 20 watt and give off a LOT of light. I have a 20 watt in the overhead light in the birdroom and it looks like sunup all day long. They are good for a year.
When you are lighting such big cages as I have to, primarily for the big macaws, its difficult to do it efficiently with any one fixture. Besides, this is an experiment. I'm trying to compare the different types and do my own research. I re-read the info you provided and did some other research as well. I am directly lighting Mia, my plucked BG and the grey and ekkie who did pluck a few months ago. All other birds will remain in the same lighting they had before. Mia is on and interior wall and gets less light than the other macaws who all have cages directly in front of windows. These are very old windows (1936) that don't have the UV filters and I've removed screens. I think that's why the birds in there have always done so well.
Besides, the grey cage and the Ekkie cages are relatively small by comparison. Hey, I KNOW I read somewhere that UV lighting is supposed to be at eye level, but I cannot find the information anywhere. If you should stumble upon it, PLEASE let me know where. It's driving me crazy!!!!
THE OUTLAW
p.s. I don't mind the snow. I don't ever have to shovel it and it gives me the opportunity to bake lots of goodies. I like to make bread on cold winter mornings. I'm afraid my trips to FLA are all about taking Miss Lily to Disneyworld or visiting relatives in the Keys. I wish I could come see your setup, but its not too likely, I'm afraid. Will has to pry me away from my birds. I don't do seperations from them very well. Thanks for the offer, though. You just never know
