Bottom Feeders?

[TooBee...]

All the hives that I have seen seem to not have the option of using a Bottom Feeder, as far as I can tell if the beekeeper wants to feed, then an eke or super is placed on top and the food placed in that.

But I have just been watching this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXvHu5ZVOfc
in which at 29:00 minutes you can see a bottom feeder clearly being used, and it appears it is a permanent fixture in the hive structure - or just a convenient space below the floor, another view can be seen at 25:27 minutes, referred to as "...the open space of the deep floor board..."?

So, I was wondering whether the members here use top or bottom feeders and why? I'm guessing you prefer top feeders, as bees move upwards in winter and this enables you to place their food nearest them. But then why is a bottom feeder being used here in the video, it seems near an open front bottom entrance, possibly encouraging robbing and wasps?

I've always been concerned about top feeders because, sod's law, I have visions of the bees having a syrup shower, bottom feeders therefore seemed to me a much better idea, but I never gave it much more thought as it appeared that all beekeepers (at least the one's I've come across) use top feeders.

I was wondering if the members had any thoughts on the pros and cons, I think bottom feeders may be more common with Warre hive users, but not sure, however it does seem that you can feed the bees without disturbing them...

 

[taurus]

There's a difference between feeding to build up the brood in spring, and/or building up stores in the autumn - and then the need of the winter cluster to access emergency food.

The latter really needs to be in contact with the cluster so it goes on top (as fondant rather than syrup). Since you have to have that facility you might as well use the same design for feeding syrup - it's simpler and works perfectly well.

Top feeders won't leak syrup down over the bees anyway so there's no problem there. You can use contact feeders, or the type where the bees climb up a funnel to access the syrup.

 

[Poly Hive]

That's true to (as ever) a point.

There is a risk of the "rapid feeders" losing that bit of vacuum and drenching the bees.

I had it happen once many years ago and never used them since.

PH

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

When I saw the title, I thought the BBKA were in for a pasting again!!

 

[birdsandbees]

When I saw the title, I thought the BBKA were in for a pasting again!!

 

[maddydog]

When I saw the title, I thought the BBKA were in for a pasting again!!

 

[TooBee...]

Must be an inside joke that us newbies don't get :-( . . .

 

[colinc]

Yes I read it as being like mouth breathers too...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[john t]

very interesting video, seems easy enough to feed with syrup but i dont see any overall advantage, the film looks quite dated,its possibly a research facility ?,
with bottom feeders how would you monitor varroa , also its just extra equipment

 

[Gilberdyke John]

When I saw the title, I thought the BBKA were in for a pasting again!!

Gotta admit the phrase bottom feeders conjured up a totally different thing in my mind

 

[DanBee]

Gotta admit the phrase bottom feeders conjured up a totally different thing in my mind

Just like when somebody mentions "bottom ventilation" with regards to open mesh floors...

 

[Poly Hive]

Plaice? Lobster?

PH

 

[For want of a better word]

Plaice? Lobster?

PH

Had to think about that one!!!
Then Tench sprang to mind!!


Nos da