Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: debshane on March 08, 2010, 08:35:40 PM

Title: hive top feeder
Post by: debshane on March 08, 2010, 08:35:40 PM
has any one tried the plastic hive top feeder from brushy mountain.trying to get some feedback before i buy one.thanks
Title: Re: hive top feeder
Post by: CBEE on March 08, 2010, 09:49:11 PM
Never tried it. I just use inverted quart jars with small holes in the lids. No drowned bees
Title: Re: hive top feeder
Post by: Hemlock on March 08, 2010, 11:04:35 PM
If you mean Item #423 (http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Plastic-10-Frame-Hive-Top-Feeder/productinfo/423/) I've used one in Fall to help increase the bees reserves.  Works great.  Have not used it any this spring though.

If you mean Item #212 (http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Multi-Duty-Hive-Top-Feeder/productinfo/212/) (the multi-duty one) then I don't know, don't have one.
Title: Re: hive top feeder
Post by: annette on March 08, 2010, 11:19:29 PM
The 4H club just ordered them and I saw them and they look very good. Have not used them yet.
Title: Re: hive top feeder
Post by: woodchopper on March 08, 2010, 11:34:59 PM
Quote from: Hemlock on March 08, 2010, 11:04:35 PM
If you mean Item #423 (http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Plastic-10-Frame-Hive-Top-Feeder/productinfo/423/) I've used one in Fall to help increase the bees reserves.  Works great.  Have not used it any this spring though.
I've got about 18 of these and they work great.
Title: Re: hive top feeder
Post by: Rich V on March 09, 2010, 10:29:55 AM
I have several and they work great. I even fill mine with rages and leave them on through the winter.
Title: Re: hive top feeder
Post by: D Coates on March 09, 2010, 12:10:53 PM
I just bought 5 of them.  I haven't used them but I was very pleased with the quality and ease of assembly.  I'm used to using the wooden ones.  The wooden ones work well enough but I don't like having to deal with cracks, leaks, painting and reapplying the urethane.  These are the same concept but appear more durable and easier to clean.  By shear dumb luck they fit nicely under the 2.5 inch homemade shims I already use on my hives for ventilation.
Title: Re: hive top feeder
Post by: Eshu on March 09, 2010, 02:18:37 PM
I have a couple and they work fine.  Especially if the bees are taking feed fast.  They are a pain to take off a hive if they still have a lot of syrup in them.
Title: Re: hive top feeder
Post by: Two Bees on March 09, 2010, 02:34:43 PM
I like using 1 gallon jars with 5-6 very small holes punched in the lid.  If you have a small piece of #8 hardware cloth stapled to the inner cover hole, you can remove the jar to refill it without worrying about bees flying up into your face.