hive top feeder

[BigRog]

What do you people think of this hive top feeder?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46527&item=3823470593&rd=1

[Lesli]

I'm not sure about wood for a feeder. With glass or platic, you can scrub and steralize, in case of mold. And parafin might keep it from leaking for a while, but how long?

[Robo]

Miller feeders have been used for years,  they work just as poorly  8) as any other hive top feeder that requires the bees to leave the cluster to feed.  They will not get any activity on cold days or during cold nights.  With an inverted jar feeder, the bees can cluster right under it and work it 24/7 regardless of the weather.

Just put a couple coats of polyureathane on the inside and it will work for many years.

[BigRog]

Hadn't thought about the tempreture issue
Looks like I am looking for a 1 gal glass jar
The robo feeder wins

What about cutting holes and using 4 qt size jars?

[Robo]

Any size jar will work.  The quart size jar fits nicely in an empty medium while the gallon fits inside an empty deep.  Depending on the weather, and how fast they take the syrup, depends on what size you want to use.

If they are really taking the syrup, like a package building comb,  then the gallon is best because you won't be filling it every/everyother day,  and they syrup will be consumed before it goes moldy.

On a established hive with stores left from winter, the consumption will be slower, and the quart size works better and will be consued before it goes moldy.

There are many other things better to spend your money on than a feeder, when glass jars are free :lol:

[BigRog]

There are many other things better to spend your money on than a feeder, when glass jars are free :lol:

I like the way you think

[Agility Mom]

Robo - I am probably being very dense but what are you coating in this statement you made about polyureathane?

 Just put a couple coats of polyureathane on the inside and it will work for many years.

[Robo]

Robo - I am probably being very dense but what are you coating in this statement you made about polyureathane?

 Just put a couple coats of polyureathane on the inside and it will work for many years.

A few coats on the inside of the wooden miller feeder will prevent the syrup from seeping into the wood and make cleaning easier.

[Agility Mom]

Ahah - I get it now.

[Robo]

This isn't even one of the better designed miller feeders.  If you look at the plans on BeeSource,  you can see a design that allows you to easily fill it, as long as it hasn't gone dry,  without the bees being able to get out.  It basically has an addition board on each side that forms a corridor down towards the syrup.  A piece of screen is put across the center section, which only allows the bees down towards the syrup and not out the top.

Geesh, I got a couple used ones all poly'ed and waxed up that I don't use,  maybe I should put them out on Ebay :lol:

[mark]

yea do it .  

especially since the one listed on ebay went for near twice what brushy mountain gets for them new!
guess folks think it's cheaper just 'cause it's on ebay.