Feeders

[Poly Hive]

Apart from my first year or two I have never used contact feeders for a number of reasons one being the consequences of a failure.

Instead I use frame feeders which also of course can be used as dummys.

If you are using contacts is it because it was in the "kit" you bought as a package or were you advised to get one?

Curious

PH

 

[herefordshirehoney]

Interesting you're making me think now . I've gone for the swienty poly feeders that are super size roughly, mind you there just sitting here as im still waiting fore the nucs (blooming bad weather!).

 

[scuttlefish]

None of the above - I'm using Ashforths.

 

[flemage]

I used contact feeders at first as they were cheap and I could make them. but after all the spills, crushing bees when re filling and replacing I got some 'English' feeders from tho*nes.

Its wasn’t that they were recommended just seemed like the easiest and cheapest option

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Use rapid feeders in various sizes - from 3 pint jobs for nucs and small feeds, the 1 gallon from CWJ and TH**nes to the big MM 3 gallon ones for autumn stores feeding

 

[madasafish]

Frame feeders for all TBHs ranging form 0.75 to 3 litres...All home made <discreet cough>

 

[justme]

Still do at times, were recommended (through books I think). Have a couple of nuc fr*g**e p***t feeders and also the cake box type feeders but these all need topping up loads in Autumn. Am looking to make several Br Adam type feeders now, think i have sussed out how to make them. Took a while to get brain around the plans:.)

 

[coffin dodger]

I use the contact feeder that came with the kit, reasoning behind this, cast in a new hive, I can feed without disturbing them any more than I have to.

Regards
Ray

 

[jackbee]

I used contact feeders at first as they were cheap and I could make them. but after all the spills, crushing bees when re filling

oops, read contact as rapid, so made daft comment, removed comment, ignore this post

 

[notagain]

first post

can i just say this is my first post.

 

[plumberman]

You can.

Congratulations and welcome.

 

[Nuc]

Have used 1gal and 1/2gal feeders and found both good. The only issue i found is that you lose some syrup when first inverted but held over a bucket you can catch it and use it later. The other problem is supposed to be syrup being expelled when in situe, particularly if there are large temperature differences between day and night, but i am not aware i have suffered from that problem.The main benefit is no drowned bees which i sometimes get using a rapid.
I am wondering about getting an ashworth type feeder for greater capacity and speed in the autumn although will i get many drowned bees with it? If so i'll stick with the contacts.
Oh yes, the other thing about 1gal bucket contacts is you need 2 empty supers to house one. Nuc.

 

[alanf]

I have 2 litre rapids, "English" rapids and the small FP ones for nuc top ups, basically they are all ramp and reservoir variations.

Easy to monitor and top up from above with minimal disturbance.

There are many about who do use contacts, there's a certain 'allotment chic' about old pickle jars with nailholes in the lid.

 

[Neil]

I use contact feeders with great success as I get tubs free from work. I just shove a few holes in the lid an jobs a goodun. I bought some frame feeders from a leading company to use in some nucs I found that a lot of bee were drowning regular in them even though they hive a plastic float inside is this the norm for frame feeders?

 

[VEG]

used to use a contact bucket feeder when I first had bees until it decided to dump its contents into the hive. I now use it for keeping wax bits in. I now use rapid feeders that hold about 2ltr

 

[REDWOOD]

I was recommended contact feeders from the beginning and have never had a problem with them or the bees using them, no drowned bees or reluctance to use them, never refill just replace with a full one, no need to disturb in winter time, easy to clean, I have thought about other feeders but why change something that works for me

 

[itma]

I like the cheap screw on "contact feeder" mesh lids with beespace that fit onto standard 1 lb honey jars. Excellent for feeding a small quantity of syrup with no fuss or risk of flooding whatsoever.
For larger quantities I have round plastic rapids, but I suppose I ought to investigate something larger that only needed to be filled once a week ...

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Maisie moore do a big rapid feeder which fits on top of a national box - no need for an eke or a feeder board or anything - cheaper than an Ashforth and holds 31/2 gallons

 

[oliver90owner]

I use the contact feeder that came with the kit, reasoning behind this, cast in a new hive, I can feed without disturbing them any more than I have to.

Ray,

A rapid feeder is far less intrusive - once they know it is there. It can be topped up without even moving it - just remove the lid and pour slowly.

RAB

 

[tonybloke]

I use the contact feeder that came with the kit, reasoning behind this, cast in a new hive, I can feed without disturbing them any more than I have to.

Ray,

A rapid feeder is far less intrusive - once they know it is there. It can be topped up without even moving it - just remove the lid and pour slowly.

RAB

I use the 'rapid' style of feeders on full colonies, and frame feeders (self made) in my nuc boxes