Sugar Syrup Bottles.

[Jimmy]

I hate those feeders

I prefer Paynes polynucs as you can do a quick visual check on a colony through the clear perspex cover without taking the feeder off. Important to me, particularly in winter, though I understand the feeder frustration.

 

[Erichalfbee]

They do top feeders now.

Yes so I gather but I don’t like the Payne’s boxes to start with. The Maisie’s are much better.

I prefer Paynes polynucs as you can do a quick visual check on a colony through the clear perspex cover without taking the feeder off. Important to me, particularly in winter, though I understand the feeder frustration.

I have two Payne’s nucs in service and two used as bait hives
The other four nucs are Maisie’s. All of them have a polycarbonate crownboard with a bee space rim and with a central feeder hole. They are thick enough to not bend with 2 litres of syrup on top.

 

[BMH]

I prefer Paynes polynucs as you can do a quick visual check on a colony through the clear perspex cover without taking the feeder off. Important to me, particularly in winter, though I understand the feeder frustration.

Out of interest, why is that important?

What could you check for in winter, that you could feasibly do anything about, that isnt solved by hefting?

 

[Jimmy]

Out of interest, why is that important?

What could you check for in winter, that you could feasibly do anything about, that isnt solved by hefting?

Good point!
If I'm doing say a monthly mid-winter apiary visit on a non-flying day it's reassuring (to me) to have a quick look to make sure all is well without breaking all the propolis seals. As you note, I couldn't actually do anything about it during mid-winter if there was something wrong. One day I'll stop interfering and just let the bees get on with it......


Edited to add:

On an early spring visit (early March onwards for my location) I can also assess to see if they need extra space by looking to see how crowded the bees are - not always possible to assess this by looking at the hive entrance and I can't always visit hives on spring days when the weather is amenable to opening up.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Good point!
I couldn't actually do anything about it during mid-winter if there was something wrong. .

Believe me you can
You can move a frame of stores next to the cluster if they have isolated themselves

 

[BMH]

Good point!
If I'm doing say a monthly mid-winter apiary visit on a non-flying day it's reassuring (to me) to have a quick look to make sure all is well without breaking all the propolis seals. As you note, I couldn't actually do anything about it during mid-winter if there was something wrong. One day I'll stop interfering and just let the bees get on with it......


Edited to add:

On an early spring visit (early March onwards for my location) I can also assess to see if they need extra space by looking to see how crowded the bees are - not always possible to assess this by looking at the hive entrance and I can't always visit hives on spring days when the weather is amenable to opening up.

Ah it wasnt a dig. I think the reassurance factor is probably worth it on it's own.

On the BS nucs that I use, take out the fondant plug once I've finished feeder and put a little perspex over the top. I can then have a peek inside the hive without removing the feeder.

It's such a simple design but really works and can give that reassurance that they are there!

For me though, hefting/weighing gives me confidence enough to leave them until its warm enough to open up

 

[BMH]

Believe me you can
You can move a frame of stores next to the cluster if they have isolated themselves

would you be able to see that in the Payne's set up? I've never used them so not sure if it would be possible to see isolation starvation?

I'd still probably just plonk some fondant on as opposed to adding or removing frames in December

 

[Erichalfbee]

would you be able to see that in the Payne's set up? I've never used them so not sure if it would be possible to see isolation starvation?

I'd still probably just plonk some fondant on as opposed to adding or removing frames in December

A simple torch and you can see.
You still need to take the top off to add the fondant. I’d be happy to move frames at the same time.

 

[BMH]

A simple torch and you can see.

You still need to take the top off to add the fondant. I’d be happy to move frames at the same time.

My concern in moving frames in December is damaging the queen.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

[Erichalfbee]

My concern in moving frames in December is damaging the queen.

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Indeed but she is unlikely to be at the edge of the cluster and all you are doing is moving an empty frame and putting a store frame in its place

 

[BMH]

Indeed but she is unlikely to be at the edge of the cluster and all you are doing is moving an empty frame and putting a store frame in its place

Yeh I suppose. I think I get a bit lazy/risk averse over winter and think a 12.5kg slab of fondant solves all of life's problems.

 

[Millet]

I would need 3 of those per hive!

Bit of a faff.

I use the 25 litre variant if I ever need to transport syrup.

i will start carrying a 45 gallon drum on my shoulder next year..if you do one better i will go for a IBC if you go better again i will buy a 20.000 litre swimming pool..bit awkward to carry but hey ho..

 

[BMH]

i will start carrying a 45 gallon drum on my shoulder next year..if you do one better i will go for a IBC if you go better again i will buy a 20.000 litre swimming pool..bit awkward to carry but hey ho..

Lol. it's not oneupmanship. you're using a wheelbarrow anyway?

my 25 litres go in the back of truck and get driven to the apiary

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[SDM]

Any tips for filling the Paynes nuc ?

Yeah, I use a cheap small watering can, get one with as open a top as possible so that you can fill it straight from the bucket. Fill the can away from the nucs so that any spillage doesn't cause problems.

 

[Poly Hive]

Moving stores in Winter... please people.

If you use an eke which is merely four bits of wood or insulation glued and screwed together and inside that put a good slab of fondant, and by that I mean a kilo for a nuc there is no need to worry about isolation or starvation.

I have been working my wintering this way for some 15 years now and not lost a colony to either of those issues. KISS

PH