This method of feeding isn't the best way to get feed to the hives that need it. The stronger hives get the most out of this method of feeding.

Feeding bees suagr syrup or corn syrup should be done when your colonies haven't produced enough honey to make it through the winter (or for medication purposes too). So each individual hive will need what they need. No two will be the same.

I recommend individual feeders for each hive, the type is a matter of convienience to the beekeeper, imo. That way each hive will get what they need and you will know when to stop feeding because the colony isn't taking the feed anymore.

Besides, lots of bees die in the feeding process w/ community feeders. That's been my experience when I used to do it, by the barrel method.

 

Just watching how they swarm all over any comb I scrape and drop, I'd think a community feeder could result in a lot of fighting, too, although I have never tried one, so cannot speak from experience.

Bill

 

If I were going to try something like this, I'd put out a board or bowl and dump a bag of dry sugar on it, maybe mist it with some water to get things going. No drowning, minimal effort.

Grid

 

http://www.myoldtools.com/Bees/beefeeder.jpg

Fill with gravel or cut a sponge to fit.

 

I heard somone say to use a 5gal. bucket with clean stick in it to feed several hives. I've never tried it. RG

 

A 5 or 3 gal bucket works great. Get one w/ a good tight lid. Drill some #40(3/32") holes(10-20 of them) in the lid turn upside down on top of a couple bricks(maybe up on top of a bench?). You'll get a little leakage until the vacuum in the bucket is created but it works great. Some say put it a distance away from your hives. I went 100-500 yrds using numerous buckets.
I never saw alot of fighting. I put a little(a splash per 5 gal) vinegar in mine to help control spoilage and they seem to like it better!?!
good luck

 

The problem with open feeding is bees greediness. The ones in the second row, that can't reach the source, push the front row into the drink, drowning them. Whatever scheme you use, make sure you provide enough access space for all the bees at any given time. Tough assignment.

Walt

 

if there are any bees around that aren't yours you will be feeding them too if you feed this way. I used a large canning pot last year that i made a flotation device for (a circular piece of styrofoam with #8 hardware cloth). Then I was talking to my neighbor and he was telling me about some beehives near his place. I was feeding my bees and someone else's bees.

 

You could use a chicken waterer I use one in my bee yard around this time for water it holds 7 gallons. there not cheap but they will last a long. I put some gravel from a old fish tank in the trough to stop any drowning. If you do this put gravel around the hole the water comes out or they will crawl in when empty.

 

I know of a beekeep that open feeds his bees using a sheet of plywood with wooden strips along the edge to contain the sugar water, a 4' x 8' tray, if you will. He has too many hives to feed independently.
He pours in sugar water from a 5 gallon bucket and sets strips of wood cross-wise the 'tray' for the bees to land on and walk on down to where the feed is. He has it set up a good ways away from his hives. He reports he never had a problem.

 

http://www.myoldtools.com/Bees/beefeeder.jpg
Put a sponge or some gravel in the bowl....

 

Using a common open feeder is nothing more then a open inventation to problems. Some of them are but not limited to the one I can think of.
robbing the stronger ones get the food the weak die off.
Drowned bees a whole lot of them too.
a waste of food the bees might not get it other bugs like yellow jackets might get the food. spread of disease from other bees not of your hives.
The list just goes on. And not to be rude what you are trying to do sounds of being lazy. And I am not saying you are just sound that way.