Originally Posted by
Nellie
The short answer is not really.
Feeding syrup isn't suitable over winter so there isn't a year round, one size fits all solution.
You'll get lots of opinions on this, but here's my take.
For the most part I use rapid feeders. A couple of litres maximum, no spillage to encourage robbing, and with the newer ones no drowning bees.
I think there is a general tendency to over feed bees, especially in spring. I would much rather give a colony a couple of litres of feed one week an re-assess in a weeks time than use a miller or ashforth type that can take gallons of the stuff and might encourage them to store it just before I want to be putting supers on.
Equally I try to manage my bees so they don't need gallons of syrup in the autumn but I do have a couple of larger feeders in the shed just in case a hive is light and I want them to take syrup in quantity.
90% of the time a rapid feeder with a litre or two, suits my management style, I've used nothing else except some DIY contact feeders on nucs for a couple of years now.
In terms of disturbance, the newer rapid feeders are fine. They sit on top of the crownboard (spare empty super required) and you simply lift the lid and top them up if required without uncovering the feed hole or giving bees an avenue to come say hello. The Miller and Ashforth types can be similarly topped up without otherwise disturbing the hive or exposing you to inquisitive bees.
In winter, I prefer to use clear plastic or takeaway tubs filled with fondant, again this allows the levels to be checked simply by removing the roof, if they're still full, plonk the lid back on, job done, bees remain undisturbed.
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