Chicken Waterer Bee Feeder
Beekeepers have found many interesting ways to provide food for hungry honey bees. One practical alternative is to use a chicken waterer to feed bees. However, to successfully use this method you must make some modifications. In this guide, you will learn how to set up a chicken waterer for honey bees and the benefits and drawbacks of this method.
Of course, this is not the perfect type of honey bee feeder for every occasion. I must admit it is not my primary way to feed but I do use this periodically throughout the year. I will share my reasoning.
Why Use a Chicken Waterer to Feed Bees
Beekeepers most often provide supplement food during times of nectar dearths or to help new colonies get off to a good start.
There are several advantages to this feeder. It is simple and effective and honestly a lot of fun to watch.
Even the small 1-gallon model holds a fair amount of feed compared to entrance or (mason jar feeders). and is easily handled without heavy lifting.
Keep in mind, that in most cases – this is an example of open feeding. Not the most economical way to provide feed to bees and it does involve some inherent risks.
Materials Needed
You only need a few items to get your feeder ready.
- plastic chicken waterer – I like 1 gallon
- sugar water
- floating materials
Container – I like the 1-gallon feeder because it is easy to work with and provides a decent amount of syrup.
However, if you have a lot of beehives (more than 2-3) – consider using 2 1-gallon feeders to provide more surface area. Otherwise, the bees will push and fight for access to the syrup.
Sugar Water – there are various ratios of sugar water used in this type of feeder. Most commonly, a 1:1 ratio (equal parts sugar and water) is the preferred mix.
It most closely mimics that sweetness of plant nectar that the bees would normally be foraging for in the wild.
Floating Materials – I find it rather fascinating that our wonderful bees have the capacity to drown rather easily – but they do! You must put some type of material in the round trough to prevent drowning.
A variety of materials can be used: small pieces of foam or sponge, pieces of wood or bark, craft sticks, (pieces of luffa sponge).
Anything that is non toxic and will prevent drowning is fine. Also, be sure to plug the hole where the syrup comes out of the reservoir into the trough with a material that allows liquid to flow out and prevent the bees from entering.
How to Set it Up
These step-by-step instructions will help you prepare the feeder and give some ideas on mixing the sugar water for bees.
You do not want to set the feeder near your hives. Remember, honey bees can fly. If they are in need of nourishment they will find your feeder.
Having open food sources invites trouble from robbing bees in your apiary. After smelling the sugar water, rouge bees may decide to attack your hives to reach the resources there too.
The unit is filled in the same way as when you are using it as a waterer for chickens or bees. Set the reservoir upside down on a stable surface, fill with sugar water. Screw on the base and flip the unit over.
Placement
Sit or hang the feeder in a spot that is not near your beehives. One advantage of a chicken waterer as a bee feeder is the wire handle that makes hanging it easy.
I have used a simple metal garden hook – this helps keep out pets and ants.
If the weather is cool, a sunny location is preferable. Personally, I never place an open feeder any closer to my hives than 100 ft.
Maintenance & Cleaning
Every week or so you will need to take the feeder inside and give it a good cleaning with soap and water and a little Clorox if needed.
It is common to have mildew and mold form inside the feeder or on the outside – where bees crawl with their sticky feet.
Pros and Cons
There is no perfect way to feed honey bees, all methods have advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- inexpensive
- large capacity-reduces frequent refilling
- easy to handle and clean
Cons
- potential for drowning
- risks of attracting pests and predators (ants, wasps etc)
- not most economical method of feeding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are some common situations that cause trouble when using this feeder – you can avoid all of them with a little attention.
- placing feeder too close to the hive
- not checking the feeder for leaks – making sure it sits level
- not placing materials to prevent drowning
- failure to understand that this method is not right for every situation
My Method of Using the Chicken Waterer Feeder
In spite of the disadvantages of this method, I always come back to it. However, it is not the primary way that I provide food to colonies in need. I use it mostly to gather information.
Spring beekeeping is a whirl of activity with many blooming plants in my area. But, as the season progresses there will be times when available forage is limited. This is especially true as we move into the hot dry Summer.
I use this feeder to test the availability of nectar in the field. After filling, I place it inside my beekeeping equipment shed and monitor the interest.
If only a small number of bees visit the feeder, I know that others are finding nectar in the blooming flowers. A massive response of hungry bees crowding the syrup, tells me that field forage is not available.
The means it is time to inspect the beehives for food storage levels and possible consider in hive feeding to ensure the neediest colonies get the nutrition they need.
Sometimes, for fun – I may fill the feeder during a warm spell during the cold months. Everybody likes a little bit of fresh food along.
Final Thoughts
Using a chicken waterer bee feeder is a valuable tool for beekeepers – especially those with just a few colonies. For the best success, you need to monitor the activity and ensure that you are not causing harm by drowning bees or creating needless fighting at the feeder.