Feeders, which one ?

flyboysoffall · March 29, 2011, 01:11:13 AM

Here's my question. I have 3 boys 11, 9, and 6, and they are getting started with a new hive here in 2-3 weeks. They have saved their money and with a little help from grandpa they are pretty much ready except for a feeder, with their limited funds what would you suggest? Thanks for your help.

Kathyp · March 29, 2011, 01:14:13 AM

the biggest glass jars you can find with a few small holes in the top. use over the inner cover hole and cover with extra box if raining.

Tommyt · March 29, 2011, 02:32:02 AM

I use Gatorade Bottles the boys can drink some good for the heat and recycle for the bees
As Cathy said poke some holes in the cap
Good luck
Tommyt

Michael Bush · March 29, 2011, 07:19:03 AM

If you have a solid bottom board you can convert it to a feeder for the cost of a piece of scrap wood:
http://bushfarms.com/beesfeeding.htm#bottom

TwoHoneys · March 29, 2011, 11:49:55 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on March 29, 2011, 07:19:03 AM
If you have a solid bottom board you can convert it to a feeder for the cost of a piece of scrap wood:
http://bushfarms.com/beesfeeding.htm#bottom

Michael, this feeder looks as if it'll work great when feeding small amounts. What do you do when you can't get to the hive every day to refill it? I mean, if I switch to top entrances, is it still okay to put a larger bucket on top of the hive (in an empty super above the frames but below the entrance)?

-Liz

AllenF · March 29, 2011, 01:12:53 PM

Zip lock bag feeders are affordable also.

VolunteerK9 · March 29, 2011, 01:59:18 PM

My first hives were last year and I was worse than any kid ever thought about on wanting to know what was going on in and with my hives. I would recommend a boardman feeder. They are roughly $3-$5 a piece and it will give your kids (you too) something to look at to gauge food consumption. You could use the plastic baggies until you get your boardman in (if you choose to buy one that is) Having only one hive, robbing isnt much of a worry. I loved to watch the syrup levels go down from day to day-I'll give your kids one if you want me to.

Brian D. Bray · March 29, 2011, 11:22:21 PM

I've never found anything that works better than a 1 gallon paint can. For a few bucks an unused paint can is obtainable from any paint suplly or hardware store. Use a small nail (4 penny or smaller) to poke a few holes in the lid. The lid needs to be pressed on so the seal is almost always good unless the can gets dented up badly.
Choose from pint, quart or gallon.

flyboysoffall · March 30, 2011, 12:22:16 AM

Thank you for all the great comments, this helps a lot.

Michael Bush · March 30, 2011, 04:53:11 AM

>Michael, this feeder looks as if it'll work great when feeding small amounts. What do you do when you can't get to the hive every day to refill it?

I prefer to put only enough that they can clean it up by morning. This keeps robbing down and it also keeps the syrup from spoiling, but you can put about a gallon of syrup in it if you really want to.

>I mean, if I switch to top entrances, is it still okay to put a larger bucket on top of the hive (in an empty super above the frames but below the entrance)?

OK? You can do what you like and if the bees in the hive have easy access and the robbers do not have easy access and it doesn't leak it will probably work.