Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: Brian Sisson on May 17, 2006, 10:36:21 AM

Title: Gallon jars for hive top feeder
Post by: Brian Sisson on May 17, 2006, 10:36:21 AM
When I read on here about making my own top feeder, it said to use a gallon glass jar of the type you can get at any local deli.

No local deli's were willing to give me a jar, and the only two jars I could find were at thrift shops.

Last night I was in the local Super Wal-Mart and saw that they had a plethora of them for $2.98 each.  They were filled with pickles.

Hope this saves someone some time....
-B.
Title: Gallon jars for hive top feeder
Post by: TREBOR on May 17, 2006, 12:00:35 PM
I use half gal. canning jars....they work great.....
and there easy to find.....I have twice what I need so I make up a batch
then I go to the beeyard and just switch them out, its fast and easy....
Title: Gallon jars for hive top feeder
Post by: Doorman on May 17, 2006, 01:35:27 PM
I use gallon freezer bags right now but i'm planning on switching to gallon paint cans. they're more durable and don't break when you drop them. Home Depot sells them for around $3.00. but we have a local paint manufacturer here in tulsa, I'm going to check with them. I don't really want to pay more than a dollar.
Title: Gallon jars for hive top feeder
Post by: randydrivesabus on May 17, 2006, 05:17:05 PM
i also use 1/2 gallon canning jars. i usually make 2 gallons at a time. 2lbs sugar to 1 qt water. i think i would make more at a time but i dont own anything to make it in.
Title: Gallon jars for hive top feeder
Post by: manowar422 on May 21, 2006, 12:50:36 PM
QuoteWhen I read on here about making my own top feeder, it said to use a gallon glass jar of the type you can get at any local deli.

No local deli's were willing to give me a jar, and the only two jars I could find were at thrift shops.

Last night I was in the local Super Wal-Mart and saw that they had a plethora of them for $2.98 each. They were filled with pickles.

Hope this saves someone some time....

The local food warehouse is where I get my "pickle" jars also.

Just remember that you want wide-mouth jars to make
filling easier and keep an eye out on the over-all height of the jar
(with the lid screwed on), It must not be taller than a deep hive
body or your top won't fit :?

BURRRRRRRP! :oops:  Sorry pickles do that to me :lol:
Title: Gallon jars for hive top feeder
Post by: Hi-Tech on May 22, 2006, 12:35:02 AM
Here is what the local commercial beeks here do...

Limit bees to a single deep or 2 mediums for winter.
They cut a 2 7/8 hole in the top cover.
They place a quart jar, lid down, in the hole.
They use no inner cover.
They feed bees all winter and it makes it easy and quick to add more syrup. Just fill another bottle and swap it quickly. Very little heat lost this way and no disturbing the bees.
Title: Gallon jars for hive top feeder
Post by: Hi-Tech on May 26, 2006, 01:07:55 AM
Here is a pic of what i described above...
http://hh-farms.com/photos/bees/052306/10.jpg
Title: Gallon jars for hive top feeder
Post by: Finsky on May 26, 2006, 03:21:27 AM
Quote from: Hi-TechHere is what the local commercial beeks here do...

Limit bees to a single deep or 2 mediums for winter.
They feed bees all winter and it makes it easy and quick to add more syrup. .

This makes no sence . Continuous feeding keeps brood raising on untill pollen ceases.

Why to limit hive to one deep and then to raise new bees?

In nature bees fill hive with honey for winter.  Why don't you feed hive full once  and then let them be in peace.

And forget those jars. They are toys.  :P
.
Title: Gallon jars for hive top feeder
Post by: randydrivesabus on May 26, 2006, 06:37:22 AM
i dont think theres much of a winter where hi-tech lives. i would guess that most of the winter the bees are fairly active.