Bees will bee bees, and sometimes they don't read the book on what they are required to do. I personaly am not a fan of the boardman type feeders as the feed out there in front of the hive can entice other bees/wasps to try to rob the feed. Anyway they still work just watch out for the robbing.
For the hive that is not taking the feed from the feeder, perhaps try to give them feed a different way. A simple 1 gal ziplock bag is a good feeder. Fill it about 3/4 full of 1:1 sugar water then lay it directly on top of the frames. With a razor make a two or three 2inch slits on top of the bag. Then put an empty brood box on (or you will crunch the bag) and close it up.
In your sugar water it is good to add in some essential oils. The commerical product is "Honey B Healthy" or Mann Lake sells the same stuff under a different name. Of you could just add in two-three drops of pepermint oil (lemongrass or wintergreen oil etc).
Good luck - welcome to being a beek
For the hive that is not taking the feed from the feeder, perhaps try to give them feed a different way. A simple 1 gal ziplock bag is a good feeder. Fill it about 3/4 full of 1:1 sugar water then lay it directly on top of the frames. With a razor make a two or three 2inch slits on top of the bag. Then put an empty brood box on (or you will crunch the bag) and close it up.
In your sugar water it is good to add in some essential oils. The commerical product is "Honey B Healthy" or Mann Lake sells the same stuff under a different name. Of you could just add in two-three drops of pepermint oil (lemongrass or wintergreen oil etc).
Good luck - welcome to being a beek
