Feeders

[mattjm1017]

I think Im posting this in the right area. My question is about feeders. I understand that most people dont like entrance feeders and I can see the problems with them so Im wondering about how to go about making one with a mason jar that sits on the inner cover. Ive seen one before and now I cant find anything about it I know Im just not looking hard enough or something. I know I need to punch a few nail holes into the lid of the jar but is there a stand that it needs to sit on or something?

thanks

Matt

[Bsweet]

You can set the jar over the hole in the inner cover if you use one or just set it on top of the frames if you don't. Some keepers the entrance feeder rig by setting it on top of the inner cover, with an empty hive body box around it and the outer cover on top or you can place two wooden strips under the inverted jar to give alittle more room for the bees to get around. I even have made some stands out of 3" PVC sch40 pipe, cut the pipe in 2 3/4 sections and on one end cut some 1/2" notches (3 or 4) and set that end down and the Qt. narrow mouth will fit down in the other end and be pretty stable. Jim

[mattjm1017]

Excellent thank you so much. I was thinking that I needed a stand for itbut couldnt find one on any of the suppliers sites/magazines. Ill work on rigging this up this week I should be getting my bees this coming weekend and want to make sure that everything is ready for my ladies Thank you again for the info and the prompt response.

[Risky Beesness]

I'm trying something new for me, that i leaned here. I installed 4 new packages today and I am using 2 gal buckets from Home Depot, on top of my covers. I cut a 1-1/2" hole in the covers. The pail sits on top and I used some 3/8" shims to keep the lid from flexing from the weight of the syrup and maintane bee space. The outer edge of the lid creates a seal against the cover so no bees can get in our out. I am optimistic about this setup. I also bought some 1-1/2" plastic plugs from Mann Lake for when the feeders are not there.

[julysun]

Well, I don't like the feeders with tiny holes in lids. New, to me, are entrance feeders that have open sugar water for the bees to get to but not deep enough to drown them. Working great for me and the syrup goes away like crazy. They work like the old chicken water jars, with the moat that goes into the hive, love'em. Some come with a friction fit container some fit on soda pop bottles.

[S.M.N.Bee]

Matt
I run two types of jar feeders on my hives. One is a shim that holdes two jars. It is built out a peice of 1 bye lumber [3/4" thick] and is 6"X11 3/4". I than add a 3/4" shim to the bottom of this. Finally I drill two three inch holes for the jars. This shim is placed over the hole in the inner cover. You will need to run a deep super ovber this to cover the jars or you can get by with a medium if you make a shim the same size as a super. The hight of the shim will depend on the jar size you will use.

The second type i use is basically built the same as a standard inner cover. Instead of the center hole I screw two 4" by 3/4" blocks about six inches apart in the center of the cover and drill the same three inch holes for the jars.

John

[spunky]

Matt:
I just make feeding tops , I can take off or on as needed and fit a quart mason jar . Looks like a migratory cover with a hole cut in the top. Not practical for a beek with alot of hives works for me and cuts down on the robbing of the entrance feeders

[Cleo C. Hogan Jr]

Over the years I have tried lots of different types and designs of feeders. I like migratory covers with hole the size of Ball Mason Jar lids. I would not feed any other way.Thru top feeders.jpg

cchoganjr

[julysun]

What hole size are you folk using? Several that I have have tiny holes which I don't like. I do like your migratory cover with the hole and will try that and use larger and more holes.

[julysun]

Cleo, nice neat setup.

[Ross]

I'm trying something new for me, that i leaned here. I installed 4 new packages today and I am using 2 gal buckets from Home Depot, on top of my covers. I cut a 1-1/2" hole in the covers. The pail sits on top and I used some 3/8" shims to keep the lid from flexing from the weight of the syrup and maintane bee space. The outer edge of the lid creates a seal against the cover so no bees can get in our out. I am optimistic about this setup. I also bought some 1-1/2" plastic plugs from Mann Lake for when the feeders are not there.

looks familiar

[BayHighlandBees]

using gallon ziplock feeders in an empty hive box on top works well. It also doesn't force you to alter your equipment in anyway.

[Katharina]

Had another warm and not enough top feeders. Simply took the empty syrup can from last years package and refilled it. Holds 3.5 cups of liquid. Put it over the inner cover and done. I'm glad I do keep those things. They are easy to clean too.