Page 1 of 2
DIY feeder
PostPosted:11 Jan 2020, 13:45
by Alfred
https://ibb.co/QPrJJ1s
Can't get image to work sorry
My plan for world domination
I put some tiny nail holes in the plastic tops obviously...
Can be sterilised with boiling water
Save buying contact feeders but cost a fortune force feeding the grandchildren chocolate spread until spring
Will it work or will the childhood obesity have all been for nothing?
Re: DIY feeder
PostPosted:11 Jan 2020, 17:14
by NigelP
Honest opinion Alfred, looks a little on the small size!
If you need to feed.... feed, don't mess around. Feed in litres.
You need those Nutella 2kg plastic Xmas special jars if you want to get the grand kids fat.
Re: DIY feeder
PostPosted:11 Jan 2020, 22:24
by Chrisbarlow
I agree with Nigel, go big if your feeding. Your feeding for a reason.
Re: DIY feeder
PostPosted:12 Jan 2020, 09:01
by Alfred
Ok point taken NP
I thought it would be good for the polynucs instead of their rapid feeders.
And I'm a tightwad.
It's about 750 ml although I've seen 1 litre contact feeders aplenty- what's the reason for those then?
Chris are you referring to bees or kids???
Re: DIY feeder
PostPosted:12 Jan 2020, 11:08
by NigelP
Contact feeders are awful things anyway. They often leak their contents all over the bees when the atmospheric pressure drops (or is it rises). I used them for the for the 1st few years I was beekeeping but got disheartened at drenching bees and the difficulties they imposed. Used rapid feeders of one form or another ever since.
I recall there was some sort of rationale for using contact feeders for spring stimulative feeding, but as that is something I don't need to do in my area (pollen patties aside in very cold springs) I've now forgotten what the reason was. Anyone recall?
Re: DIY feeder
PostPosted:12 Jan 2020, 13:36
by Chrisbarlow
Alfred wrote: ↑12 Jan 2020, 09:01
Chris are you referring to bees or kids???
Both looking at my little one.
Re: DIY feeder
PostPosted:12 Jan 2020, 17:26
by AdamD
NigelP wrote: ↑12 Jan 2020, 11:08
Contact feeders are awful things anyway. They often leak their contents all over the bees when the atmospheric pressure drops (or is it rises). I used them for the for the 1st few years I was beekeeping but got disheartened at drenching bees and the difficulties they imposed. Used rapid feeders of one form or another ever since.
I recall there was some sort of rationale for using contact feeders for spring stimulative feeding, but as that is something I don't need to do in my area (pollen patties aside in very cold springs) I've now forgotten what the reason was. Anyone recall?
I guess that contact feeders do mean that the syrup is in contact with the bees - sometimes literally as it sometimes drips on them! You are right that as the sun warms the hive during the day, there is a possibility of the air inside the feeder expanding which allows syrup to exit the feeder. A strong colony can cope better than a small one and lick up the resultant feed. They can be useful for a gentle feed over a few days if lots of the holes are blocked up.
I do use them occasionally.
Re: DIY feeder
PostPosted:12 Jan 2020, 17:30
by AdamD
Alfred, you need to feed the children popcorn!
The buckets can be used as feeders with some 1 mm holes drilled in the lid. The trasnlucent plastic has the advantage that you can see what's inside whereas the commercially supplied contact feeders are usually white so you can't see how much has been taken.
Re: DIY feeder
PostPosted:13 Jan 2020, 12:27
by Alfred
Chrisbarlow wrote: ↑12 Jan 2020, 13:36
Alfred wrote: ↑12 Jan 2020, 09:01
Chris are you referring to bees or kids???
Both looking at my little one.
Popcorn ? no way ! - they have a good enough start in life with chocolate,pop ,crisps and pizza.
I thought I was onto a winner with my clear glass model.
It can be sterilised and its fairly heavy and stable for when the deer are mooching around the hives in the early hours.
Plan B then.
Nigel if the alternative is rapid feeders is there a risk that they store it rather than eat it?
Re: DIY feeder
PostPosted:13 Jan 2020, 15:12
by NigelP
Bees storing syrup happens whatever type of feeder you use. If the "nectar" is in excess to their metabolic needs it will be stored. It's desirable in autumn and to be avoided like the plague in spring.