whats everyones favorite method of feeding ? top, bottom, entrance, etc

beesNme · May 08, 2014, 12:10:36 PM

how does everyone feed their bees ?, what method do you use that is the least likely to drowned bees ?, also whats the best way to prevent robbing ?

BeeMaster2 · May 08, 2014, 12:24:08 PM

Quote from: beesNme on May 08, 2014, 12:10:36 PM
how does everyone feed their bees ?, what method do you use that is the least likely to drowned bees ?,

also whats the best way to prevent robbing ?

Don't feed.
Jim

10framer · May 08, 2014, 04:02:40 PM

don't would be my favorite but when i have to i use division board/frame feeders.

sc-bee · May 08, 2014, 04:27:08 PM

Jar feeder through top cover. Does not drown bees and is sealed from inside. Don't feed would be nice... but I think most run across a situation when they need to feed obsessionally :-D

Ryan820 · May 08, 2014, 04:52:51 PM

I use a poultry waterer with stones in the tray. I learned the hard way that bees will drown without the stones in the tray. I place it on top the top board and enclose with an empty box. Haven't had any issues yet but I'm also brand new to this.

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Brother Dave · May 08, 2014, 05:06:04 PM

I feed with a quart jar over the hole in my inner cover. It works best when I have my brood nest in the top box. Over that I place a deep covered by a telescoping cover.

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Kathyp · May 08, 2014, 05:48:26 PM

jar over inner cover. i get the big ones from Costco. if you use the poultry waterer, be sure to screen the hole. if you don't, they will crawl up in there if it empties and you'll end up with a jar full of dead bees.

Wolfer · May 08, 2014, 06:10:13 PM

I've used most of the methods available. What I've settled on is a piece of 1/2" plywood with a small rim around it on the bottom and 2-3/4" holes drilled in the top. Takes a standard mason jar. Some of mine hold 4 jars some hold 6

I set it over the hole in the inner cover and set an empty deep over the whole thing. I've tried #8 mesh so the bees can't get out while changing jars but they don't take as much as without the screen.

Yes they drip a little but the bees seem to clean it up as fast as it leaks.

hjon71 · May 08, 2014, 07:10:28 PM

I like this method:
Home Made Bee Feeder.

I can make a big bucket and not have to worry with checking it for a few days. Just be sure to feed away from the hive(s) to prevent robbing.

beesNme · May 09, 2014, 10:15:11 AM

nice video hjon71, i am all for making my own stuff. right now i use boardman feeder but i don't like it, thanks all for the replies

CapnChkn · May 09, 2014, 11:07:48 AM

hjon71, that's exactly what I do. I don't measure for the holes, you can see the indentations on the plastic inside with the frosting buckets I'm getting from the bakery. I just use an 1/8 in (3mm) drill bit, drill a hole every 3/8 inch (9mm), so there may be 3 or 4 holes to each "tray" in the ring at the top there.

http://youtu.be/GlBYPp6SqIE

At the peak, they were slurping down 9 pounds (4 kg) of sugar a day. The feeder has to be at least 300 feet (100 m) away from the hives because it's at that point they start dancing differently. If they start looking too close, they can assume the source of food is another hive.

Santa Caras · May 09, 2014, 05:23:50 PM

when i do, I use a top feeder based on FATBEEMANS no-drip design. No drown bees, no robbing, and can fill it and leave it for a week if needed. And the biggest thing is I dont have to worry about it leaking into the hive and drowning and messing the brood area up and possbilly killing the queen.

hjon71 · May 09, 2014, 09:30:10 PM

There are many ways to feed. Try a few and decide which you like the best.

buzzbee · May 09, 2014, 09:39:21 PM

The boardman is my least preferred.I like the top feeder(poulytry feeder or jar feeding) enclosed in a box to prevent robbing. Up north feeding syrup and pollen patties in spring is almost essential if you want to stimulate early brood rearing to have enough bee numbers for the early nectar flows.
http://youtu.be/wWtBvEbAI9Q

http://youtu.be/QU1U5iuJ1Rw

RHBee · May 10, 2014, 10:47:36 AM

I prefer the inverted bucket method. I use the 5qt buckets from lowes. I made a bed of nails from the nails provided for frame assembly. I use a rubber mallet to drive the nails through the lids. I also opened up the inner cover hole to 3" to allow full access. When feeding I place a super around the bucket.

OldMech · May 10, 2014, 09:11:34 PM

We have a local beek who teaches natural beekeeping.. He says NEVER feed the bees.. In the last few years I have had over a dozen people come to me wanting to know why their new packages died.. Saying don't feed is irresponsible and wasteful. Feeding, or not feeding depends entirely on your local conditions. If you can get away with NOT feeding.. Fantastic!!! However... When hiving a new package I always recommend feeding, at least until the bees begin bringing in their own nectar and pollen. If you want them to fill all those brand new empty combs then feed a little longer, just don't OVER feed to the point they plug up the new comb as fast as they build it..
My metods are here.. http://outyard.weebly.com/feeding.html
Everyone has different methods and a different climate / flow so before you follow absolute advice, do some research on your own locality.
Scott

GLOCK · May 11, 2014, 12:08:49 AM

Quote from: buzzbee on May 09, 2014, 09:39:21 PM
Up north feeding syrup and pollen patties in spring is almost essential if you want to stimulate early brood rearing to have enough bee numbers for the early nectar flows.
http://youtu.be/wWtBvEbAI9Q

http://youtu.be/QU1U5iuJ1Rw

I agree I open feed in the spring works great no robbing.

OldMech · May 11, 2014, 12:44:13 PM

Agreed Glock. I have had the robbing actually stop with the addition of open feeding. I can only assume that getting what they need from an open feeder is more appealing than risking life to get into a neighboring hive.
I open feed before supers go on, and I open feed when supers come off IF the hives are light. Open feeding when supers are on will contaminate the honey, yours, or your neighbors.

BeesPleese · May 11, 2014, 01:53:00 PM

Fascinating to beehold; I'm totally abuzz with this information.
Would you guys consider just straight feeding bees all the time with syrup and/or patties, or would there be times in which you would just let them do their own thing with flowers and the like?

OldMech · May 11, 2014, 05:59:43 PM

It has been my experience that packages/nuc's splits will "take" whatever you offer as fast as they can. they will plug up the brood chamber faster than they can build new comb to store it in. So you need to be mindful of that when feeding a lot.
I recommend feeding them to get them built up and going, and as long as there is a flow on, let them do their thing once they are situated and have comb well started. Feed again in the fall if they do not yet have enough stores for winter. Be mindful of your honey supers, you dont want syrup in them.. also be mindful of other beekeepers if you open feed, they dont want syrup in their supers either.