What the best Feeder system

[al.lineberry]

Started back feed my weaker hive after some good advice from here, I notice today that there were a lot of robbing going on from my larger and stronger hive. I am using a boardman feed and wanted to get the pro and con on what is the best feeder to use from you guys. I want to get back feed because I don't think the girls will have enough honey stored up to last the winter. Thanks in advance

[Clairesmom]

I would go with a hive top feeder.

[Bleemus]

An inverted gallon paint can with holes in the lid on the inner cover with a super to cover it works just fine for most anything.

I got a couple of those Beemax feeders in a bulk buy I did and like those but way too expensive to put on every hive. Bees really take down the syrup from them.

[bakpakr]

Cheaper alternative to buying a hive top feeder. Use a gallon ziplock beg. Fill , squeeze out air, seal, lay in top of hive, punch holes in bag for bees to get at syrup.

[Clairesmom]

Cheaper alternative to buying a hive top feeder= make your own from scrap lumber. Cost = around $1-2 for nails and glue.

[Charlie B]

These 1/2 gal ball jars are at Ace for $2.00 a piece. Punch several small holes in the lid and place it upside down on two 3/8" shims over your inner cover hole. Super on to protect it then outer-cover.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...ductId=2841638

[rail]

Miller hive top feeder works great.

[Splatt]

I'm a new beek. I've been using a nice frame feeder because it's completely internal to the hive, and it seems to be working well. The syrup level is dropping, and I don't have any drowned bees, yet.

[al.lineberry]

Thanks guys.....

[Nantom670]

Its way to early to be concerned with what I am going to say, but just a reminder for later about feeding too much syrup. The bees do like to cluster inside some of the empty cells when it really get cold and to keep a tight cluster, so if all the cells are packed with excess sugar water that may be the reason that some hives die off in the winter because they cannot utilize those empty cells that they would normally have. Just something to think about later on. I would think that if too much honey has not been taken so far this year, there should be plenty for them now and when the golden rod flow starts they will fill those empty frames for winter.

[Charlie B]

I'm a new beek. I've been using a nice frame feeder because it's completely internal to the hive, and it seems to be working well. The syrup level is dropping, and I don't have any drowned bees, yet.

I sold the ones I had when a buddy of mine found his dead queen floating in his.

[J.ATKINS]

What size holes do you drill in a jar lid or a paint can.

[Charlie B]

1/16th or smaller. An office type push pin in a plastic paint lid work well.

[J.ATKINS]

Great good to know. Thanks.

[David LaFerney]

1/16th or smaller. An office type push pin in a plastic paint lid work well.

That's what I have also decided is the perfect hole after many tries. I hate to kill bees by feeding them, and jar feeders don't kill bees. If you want to feed them faster - get more bees to the feed at a time that is - use those rectangular plastic bottles that apple juice comes in and punch a bunch of holes in the side. And lay it on it's side of course - on top of the inner cover and inside of an empty super.

[Fuzzy]

Baggie feeders rule !!!

But you still may need to reduce the entrance to keep raiders out of your weaker hives.

[JRG13]

FatBeeman Hivetop, i need all the frames i can get.

[Splatt]

I sold the ones I had when a buddy of mine found his dead queen floating in his.

I hadn't considered that! I've pulled it.

[rweakley]

I prefer the mannlake, hive top feeders. 0 drowing and they hold like 2 gallons a side. I never put that much in there, but if I needed to I could.