Which is the best feeder?

[mandalynn]

I bought the hive top feeder from Mann Lake, but I was told that I should use a bucket feeder instead (apparently the hive top feeder is best in September...?). So I put the bucket feeder in, only to find that the syrup was dripping out of the super onto the ground. It wasn't dripping into the lower super, though. I was concerned about that, so then I put the hive top feeder in instead. Did I make the right choice? Should you expect some drip from the bucket feeder? Was I using the bucket feeder correctly? Which feeder is recommended?

[EastSideBuzz]

My hives have a top with a hole cut in them which a mason jar fits in. It is nice because I can see it from the house with binoculars and see how full it is.

I need to mount a webcam near the hives so I can watch all the coming and goings. :lpf:

[Joseph Clemens]

My new favorite feeders are Ziploc quart/liter size screw-top storage containers. I drill a few holes in the blue plastic lid, fill with syrup, then invert over the frames, add an empty super, pack with a piece of old bed sheet to reduce drafts, put the cover on.

[justgojumpit]

I make migratory covers, and then drill holes to accept mason jars. Two holes per top allows me to feed a half gallon of syrup at a time. I do, however, pick up used frame feeders or hive top feeders if I can get them cheap enough. I like the frame feeders for nucs so I don't have to make two lids for each nuc. I like the hive top feeders because I can stuff them with straw for insulation in the winter, and then remove the straw and feed with them in the spring. I would never pay full price for them, however. My feeder covers are the way to go when feeding a full-size colony and you only want to spend $15 for the equipment!

justgojumpit

[mudhoney]

Im using the frame feeders right now. I am finding them to be a bit intrusive. I have thought about top feeders but the frame feeders dont require any special or extra woodenware you just drop it in and thats it.

[NeilV]

Overall, I think I like mason jars covered with a deep box the best. The bees seem to take the syrup very well this way. If they are leaking, then something is wrong with the feeder or how you are doing it. They should not leak. They might leak when there is a tiny about of syrup left in and the vacuum gets broken, but that should be pretty minor.

I also like hive top feeders, and they seem to take syrup very well from these also. If you use them, make sure you seal off the top really well, as bees will crawl under your cover and drown in the syrup. I have tried the Dadant ones that are brown and the Mann Lake ones. I like the Dadant ones best, even though the ML hold more syrup.

My main gripe about hive top feeders is that I like to clean the feeders out between feedings. I don't like the idea of putting fresh syrup into a moldy container. The hive top feeders are more trouble in that regard. With Jars, I can just take out the empty jars, bring them home, throw them in the dishwasher and refill with syrup at the house before I go visit the hives. That way, I'm not messing around pouring syrup when I get there.

For the hive at my house, I still use a hive top feeder, since it holds more and I have a place to clean it out.

Just my 2 cents,

Neil

[bigbore]

as far as the choise of feeders, ask 10 bee keepers and get 11 answers.
I use ziplock baggies.

as far as were you using the bucket feeder right? if it is properly sealed, and didn't have too large of holes in it, it should have formed a vaccume inside of the feeder, allowing the bees to drink the syrup from the bucket with little or no seeping.
did you make the feeder, or did you buy it?
did you have the lid on it tight?
have you had major changes in temp durring the day?
did you prop the feeder up off the top of the frames or set it down on them?

any one of these things could cause it to leak. but the best feeder for you to use is the feeder you feel works best for the situation you are in.

[dave56301]

I have had good luck with the hive top feeders both in the spring and fall. Really like the hive top feeder from Mann Lake, however I did add a few screws to tighten up the screen inside. I suppose the hive can afford to lose a few bees, but I just don't like to see them floating in the syrup.

[terri lynn]

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I also like hive top feeders, and they seem to take syrup very well from these also. If you use them, make sure you seal off the top really well, as bees will crawl under your cover and drown in the syrup. I have tried the Dadant ones that are brown and the Mann Lake ones. I like the Dadant ones best, even though the ML hold more syrup.

Neil

How do you seal them? I got the plastic hive top feeders because I heard they attract less wasps,etc. and cause less robbing than Boardman feeders and before I knew about the jars on top. But I have a problem sometimes with drowned bees. I've taped them, but this is not too efficient when you need to check frames. Also hard to do with gloves!
Terri

[Big John]

http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/feeder-compare/

They have a good comparison on this site.
I have used hive top feeders and have found that mason jars on top with extra hive body is a lot better choice for me.

[dickm]

Hive top feeders are best if you are going to do a lot of it. (New package; started on foundation). The only trouble is that the bees can't get to them in the cold. Ditto, frame feeders. I assume it's cold now in Mn. Then you need a jar or bucket right over the cluster with a couple of 3/8 strips to hold them off the frames. There are plans on this site to build feeders.

dickm

[mariongoose]

I plan on using Ziplock bags for my feeders. 1:1 sugar to H20, in a gallon bag. How big should I cut the little slices in the top, and how many cuts should I make?

[Troy]

I've had the best luck with the plastic hive top feeders.

In particular, I like the ones that Rossman sells the best. You can just set the top over the plastic feeder and it is bee tight (assuming your top is nice and flat.) It does not require a super over the feeder.

I have had a few occasions where the box and the top are not bee tight and the bees find their way in and drown in large numbers.