Top Bar Hive Feeders

[annette]

I am going to help a friend start a TBH and he wanted to know how does he feed the bees. Well I don't really know, so I am turning to the forum. He would like to see as many suggestions as possible with photos if possible.

Also plans on how to make it would be appreciated as well.  I will be teaching him beekeeping, but I know nothing about TBH's so I have to learn as much as possible over the next few months.

We want to know about giving syrup for the Spring and how to do that??

Thanks so much
Annette

[DavesBees]

There are more posts on this topic further down, but I say just use a baggie feeder at first.  They are guick, easy, and disposable.  Later you can add a follower feeder.  Lots of plans for those floating around.  I only feed a package to get it started and after that they are on their own.  If they are to stupid to know how to survive I would just as soon lose their genes from my apiary.

[annette]

But when you place the baggie feeder on the top bars, you need some space above it before you place the top cover on. Isn't this correct?? What do you use for the extra space??

[Michael Bush]

Put the baggie feeder on the bottom.

[JP]

Annette, he can baggie feed and open feed.


...JP

[Robo]

I built a couple of hanging (division board like) feeders and successfully overwintered 4 nucs in a TBH my first year feeding with them.

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,21940.msg168645.html#msg168645

[annette]

OK, lots of good information. I like the baggie feeder idea since I use baggie feeders for my own hives.  I also like the design that Robo uses.

Now I have lots to think about.  I have never done any open feeding as I am always worried about robbing. JP no worries about robbing???