Common Feeding in Fall

[Pond Creek Farm]

I have read that some recommend common deefing and others say this is a recipe for disaster.  I have three hives, and two hive top feeders.  what are thoughts on putting the ive tops on the weakest two and then a five gallon bucket with floats with syrup (covered of course to keep out rain and coated in oil to stop ants from crawling up).  None of the three are terribly strong, and one is the result of a combine and decidedly weak.

[annette]

I know that this time of year you have to be very careful how you are feeding them. Putting any syrup out in the open is a bad idea. I would think you could attract feral bees to come close and find the weak hives and start to rob them out.   I think all feeding should be done inside the hive. I am being as careful as possible right now when I feed them. I only place the syrup in the hives in the early evening and I reduce all entrances down to 1 inch for the day.

Be very careful

[EasternShore]

DON'T OPEN FEED!!

I found out the hard way...you invite local visitors to find your weak hives and empty them...been there, lost about 35lbs of honey and nearly lost the hive.

The only safe way is to place syrup 100' away...but then ANYONE can use it. I tried it and the previous mentioned robbers came back and helped themselves. I'm still trying to find these theives...going to BEEline in the spring.

[randydrivesabus]

i was open feeding for a while and then i quit feeding at all until i get a chance to check the stores in the hives. i have 4 hives and 3 of them increased in weight during the open feeding period. the one that did not is also my weakest hive that may be destined to be combined with another hive. i think open feeding has worked well for me.
i also decided that i can't really accurately judge how heavy my hives are by lifting from the back. my thought was to use 2 deep hive bodies and put weights in them to equal 70-80 lbs. and then lift them by the back. and then compare.

[Brian D. Bray]

I open or communal feed a lot.  Much easier than feeding each individual hive and if done right there is no robbing.  I've always experienced more robbing with individual feeding rather than with communal feeding. 

Besides communal feeding can be fun for the beekeeper.  A squirt gun full of ammonia or soapy water for shooting wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets is a great way to while away a few idle hours.