Changing feeder; fixing bottom board

Started by DaveKow, May 08, 2008, 10:13:26 AM

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DaveKow

May 08, 2008, 10:13:26 AM
I hived 2 packages Tues.  Weds. I noticed that the bucket feeders must be leaking.  There is a 4in. dia. puddle on the cement under the hive.  I also have to fix the screen on the bb.  Is it okay to use smoke this early?  Do I need to smoke?  I haven't checked for queen release yet.  Does that matter? 

As for the feeder, I am switching to the quail feeders. 

Thanks,
Dave

Kathyp

#1
May 08, 2008, 11:54:04 AM
the most common user error with the bucket feeders is that the lid is not sealed.  you really need to get that sucker down tight.  feeding in the open is ok as long as your feeders are not positioned to encourage robbing.  weather is a consideration, but as long as you don't get tons of rain, the quail feeders seem to work well for folks.
The people the people are the rightful masters of both congresses and courts not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.

Abraham  Lincoln
Speech in Kansas, December 1859

doak

#2
May 08, 2008, 12:06:32 PM
Tuesday /Wednesday, was that this week or last week?
If it was last week you should have checked already.
I always check the queen cage on or about the 5th day.
In the future you might want to take a small nail and push it through the candy, "careful" not to poke the queen. This helps the bees eat the candy away quicker.

Feeders,
I have very very good results with the inside feeder that goes in the frame space.
You only have to move the top over the space of two frames to refill it.
Make sure it is the kind that is not full open at the top.
I'll post some pictures of mine.doak

Cindi

#3
May 09, 2008, 10:46:26 AM
Doak, I would like to see the pictures of your inner frame feeder, sounds interesting.  That is an advantage of the frame feeder, yes, you only have to expose a small part of the colony while you will it up.  I used to use them, but the drowning bees bugged me.  I never really delved into a solution for that, so I went to the baggie feeders.  Beautiful and most wonderful of these days, Cindi
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

we BEE crawson

#4
May 09, 2008, 03:17:59 PM
i also use the frame feeders in my 4 hives.  I did have some dead bees untill i put a piece of wood floating in the sugar water no more dead bees!!!!  not one      the wood is 3/4 squared  and a half inch shorter than the length of the feeder    good luck there are many good ways to go about feeding, find what works for you!!   

DaveKow

#5
May 09, 2008, 03:37:57 PM
Thanks for your replies.  I didn't do anything with the bottom board, but I did switch to my quail feeders.

I checked the queen cages and she was released.  I saw the queen in one hive, but only pulled one frame out of the other.  I just assumed that she was in there.  Also, I was glad to see that they were building comb on the plasticell foundation.

Thanks to all of you.  How comforting to know that you are all just a key stoke away.
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