Open feeding vs hive feeding?

Sniper338 · February 07, 2017, 02:02:46 PM

Im just making a guess, i want yslls opinions..

But open feeding seems better to me because it seems like itd cause less robbing...

Where as putting feeders on a hive seems like itd attract unwanted guest to the hive...

Seems like itd be better to open feed and let all the bees fly back to their own hive...

Opinions on it all?

GSF · February 07, 2017, 02:31:26 PM

Sniper, I've never done any open feeding. The common thread I hear is have it enough distance from your hives that it doesn't incite robbing. I can spit a piece of candy on the ground and mine will go to robbing. However, I drive by a beekeepers house every day and have for the last few years. He has about a dozen hives and open feeds about 10 yards from in front of the hive, obviously no problems.

I'm considering it because of the time involved.

bwallace23350 · February 07, 2017, 02:42:18 PM

How would you open feed? It seems that it would be easier to me. I will probably try it once the rain moves out.

divemaster1963 · February 07, 2017, 03:14:15 PM

as stated open feeding is best at least 10 yards from the nearest hive. I have use one and five gallon buckets with screw on ar tight snap lids put 1/32 holes in center out to about the size of wide mouth lid then place peace of wood about 1/2-3/4 inch tall and flip the container over top of risers so the bees can crawl under and suck up the mix. put out no more than they can feed on for couple days during the summer even better just one day. keep eyes on the hives and make sure to reduce entrances when feeding just to prevent any robbing.

john

bwallace23350 · February 07, 2017, 03:17:16 PM

Thanks

Sniper338 · February 07, 2017, 03:23:26 PM

I was think of open feeding even further than 10 yards.. 50 yards or more.. not even close to the hives...

Days are warming up here, id like to see how much ferel bees i got at my house before i moves hives onto our property here..

flyboy · February 07, 2017, 03:25:17 PM

At the bee meetings that has been discussed and around here it is apparently illegal.

Joe D · February 07, 2017, 03:57:10 PM

I still use the syrup jug with holes in the lid with sugar water in my hives. I have the entrances almost closed during the winter and until the flow gets going. Most of the guys in the local bee club open feed. The one I use to hang with, had drums with a home made lid with a good size opening that was cover to help keep the rain out. He would put pine straw in the drum for the bees to land on and the drum would be about 2/3s full of corn syrup. There is a guy in the club that gets in lots of corn syrup and sell it to beeks.

Joe D

Sniper338 · February 07, 2017, 04:41:35 PM

Quote from: Joe D on February 07, 2017, 03:57:10 PM
I still use the syrup jug with holes in the lid with sugar water in my hives. I have the entrances almost closed during the winter and until the flow gets going. Most of the guys in the local bee club open feed. The one I use to hang with, had drums with a home made lid with a good size opening that was cover to help keep the rain out. He would put pine straw in the drum for the bees to land on and the drum would be about 2/3s full of corn syrup. There is a guy in the club that gets in lots of corn syrup and sell it to beeks.

Joe D

Supposely corn syrup is bad for bees... they cant digest it just like humans dont digest it.. just some research ive read on it..

sc-bee · February 07, 2017, 11:12:43 PM

Do you have any keepers near you? Do you mind cutting their feeding cost

And remember the strongest will get the most feed. So are you helping the weak much? Oh many a big man does it to cut time and cost. The dinks are replaceable to him..

yes2matt · February 08, 2017, 07:33:35 AM

Quote from: sc-bee on February 07, 2017, 11:12:43 PM
Do you have any keepers near you? Do you mind cutting their feeding cost And remember the strongest will get the most feed. So are you helping the weak much? Oh many a big man does it to cut time and cost. The dinks are replaceable to him..

I would echo this, from a year's experience. Four hives in the yard, only one or two find the feeder. And it's not the weak ones, which need it.

Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk

jalentour · February 08, 2017, 08:56:32 AM

Can you harvest honey from a hive you are feeding?

splitrock · February 08, 2017, 09:34:18 AM

"Can you harvest honey from a hive you are feeding?"

You sure can, but you shouldn't.

Michael Bush · February 08, 2017, 10:31:00 AM

>But open feeding seems better to me because it seems like itd cause less robbing...

Not in my experience. In my experience open feeding causes more robbing. It often sets off a feeding frenzy that turns into a robbing frenzy.

>Where as putting feeders on a hive seems like itd attract unwanted guest to the hive...

Feeding is always a risk, but with reduced entrances and syrup with no added smell (no HBH, no vinegar, no bleach etc...) it usually goes ok. Open feeding seldom goes ok...

>Seems like itd be better to open feed and let all the bees fly back to their own hive...

It seems like it. Things often are not what they seem like... The other things involved are, as someone pointed out, you are feeding all the bees within foraging distance. Also, you may be contaminating honey supers on other beekeepers hives who are collecting honey while you are open feeding syrup...

divemaster1963 · February 08, 2017, 01:30:18 PM

I would follow MB. I have used open feeding but only as last resort. open feeding is simplest and each way has its ups and downs. the best way i have eaver used was fondont in top boxes. it doesn't hives wet. you can added vitemins if they need it. you can control what they are getting better. I don't feed my hives unless it's last resort. have not doe it in last 4 years. have noticed that i have better and stronger survivors. I only feed back stored honey frames that i hold in resurive from the harvest and added to hives that are strong and consumed to much stores during warm winters. when I come across weak hive I inspect for cause and if none found I combine , run double qween double entance hive to get them togrow.

john