Feeding for multi colonies

[Chef Isaac]

I was curious for the beekeepers who have out yards and feed, how do you feed?

I like to feed with in inverted mason jar this time of year since it is over the brood nest so I make the sugar syrup and pour into mason jars.

However... I was thinking of making the sugar syrup and pouring into a big gatarade bucket (the sports type) that has a spigit so I can just load that up in the truck and pour sugar water into the mason jars in the out yards.

Any ideas?

[sqkcrk]

Some folks use open barrels to feed. I have done this in the past, but don't recommend this method. It's hard on the foraging bees and the strong colonies get the feed and the weak ones don't.

A number of friends of mine, and I as well, use the plastic inside feeders. This is especially good for feeding a large yard. You don't have to pull the covers all the way off if your colonies are on four way migratory pallets and your feeders are on the inside wall. A tank and pump are handy. I have used a new altered 5 gallon gas can. It's more messy but you don't need a pump.

[Dan Williamson]

Chef,

In the fall, especially when there is no flow on and robbing is likely, I like to feed with 2 gal buckets. I use migratory lids on my hives with a 1 1/2" hole drilled into the top. I install an electrical plate cover over the hole. When I am ready to feed I make up syrup in 2 gal buckets and take them to the hives. I slide open the cover on top. Invert the buckets and walk off. Takes very little time, doesn't require and extra box on top of the the hive and with 2 gal buckets reduces the amount of time I have to spend coming back to refill.

I like using buckets. When I'm done feeding I can stack the buckets inside one another. This takes up less space, I don't have to worry about breaking glass etc. I like using the migratory tops with hole and cover this way as there is very little disruption of the colony.

In spring especially when its warm enough to fly, I like to open feed with 5 gal buckets. I take #8 hardward cloth and cut it to fit around the inside of the bucket. This gives the bees plenty of grip on the sides of the bucket and then I'll throw some wood scraps (left over from making equipment) into the middle for floats. You get very few dead bees this way. You can also use loose straw. Just make up your 5 gal buckets before you leave the house. Get to the yard. Open the lid... put your floats or straw in (if you haven't done it already) and off you go.... I do like to keep them raised off of the ground as racoons will knock them over.

I use DB feeders sometimes. I especially like this in my nucs and q-rearing colonies.

[Chef Isaac]

Dan: Do you have pictures of the fall set up?

[Dan Williamson]

Dan: Do you have pictures of the fall set up?

In terms of the migratory cover with hole and then with a bucket on it? No but I could probably take some.... I could try to email some to you. I am illiterate when it comes to posting pics.

Another thing I do when making my migratory lids is to cut a dado in the top.... And the way my lid is set up.. I can slide the cover forward to have a top entrance and I can slide the cover back to close the top entrance. Works great.... I'll never go back to a telescoping top again.