Author Topic: Mountain Camp Rim Feeder (Read 15985 times)

riverbee · « **on:** October 12, 2014, 10:54:46 pm »

haven't seen these anywhere else? 2" rim feeders from walter t. kelley/kelley beekeeping:

Mountain Camp Rim Feeder

i usually make my own but i stumbled across these 2" rim feeders, they work great for feeding sugar, fondant, or patties to the bees right on top the frames. also, i like the rim feeder because the bees seem to like the little extra cluster space......

Jen · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2014, 11:01:50 pm »

Interesting, so it's basically taller shim... ?

riverbee · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2014, 11:12:32 pm »

? yes taller, if i understand your question.
my shims are all 2" . some use different depths, but i like a 2" shim for feeding in winter months. i don't use the 'mountain camp method' (sugar on newspaper) but use pre made winter patties now.

Jen · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2014, 11:40:16 pm »

Yes, I made winter patties early this last spring.

iddee · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2014, 06:56:49 am »

I hope they come with a warning label. ""Disastrous results when left on during honey flow''

:'(

lazy shooter · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2014, 07:48:00 am »

I tried the Mountain Camp method a couple of times and never saw a bee eating the sugar and couldn't tell if the bees ever ate any period. Feeding is a bummer. I'm leaving enough honey and do not intend to feed this year.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2014, 08:38:35 am »

Quote from: lazy shooter on October 13, 2014, 07:48:00 am

I tried the Mountain Camp method a couple of times and never saw a bee eating the sugar and couldn't tell if the bees ever ate any period. Feeding is a bummer. I'm leaving enough honey and do not intend to feed this year.

I resort to that for insurance and peace of mind. We usually get a break in the cold during winter. It's enough to quickly open the hive. When I see bees at the top, I get nervous. I make sure to spritz the sugar with water. Other wise they might just carry it out with the trash.

I have some rim feeders setting here waiting to be assembled.

Such a procrastinator.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2014, 09:05:06 am »

Quote from: iddee on October 13, 2014, 06:56:49 am

I hope they come with a warning label. ""Disastrous results when left on during honey flow'' :'(

Indeed Iddee!!!

I made quite a number of these when i cut down all my deeps, but have since gone to the deep inner cover with a 2" rim on one side for winter. I like them so much I am making them for the nucs as well...

brooksbeefarm · « **Reply #8 on:** October 13, 2014, 11:55:15 am »

Lazy,all my top feeders( for syrup) have a top entrance like tour showing, i never take them off unless i do the mountain camp feeding. Like Bakers12, i do it for insurance and ventilation. Jack

robo · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2014, 01:33:22 pm »

Quote from: riverbee on October 12, 2014, 10:54:46 pm

also, i like the rim feeder because the bees seem to like the little extra cluster space......

Yes they do, and I believe they benefit from it as well. I seldom feed with the shim, but always put them on in the Fall. If you do plan to feed dry sugar just as insurance, don't put it on too early or they will just cart it out and dump it on the ground. You have to wait until the weather is cold enough that they won't fly before putting the dry sugar on.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #10 on:** October 13, 2014, 10:29:42 pm »

Quote from: Robo on October 13, 2014, 01:33:22 pm

You have to wait until the weather is cold enough that they won't fly before putting the dry sugar on.

Thats the main secret right there.. I put mine on WHEN I winterize, but I dont winterize until mid November.. Its mid 30's when I winterize usually, and the bees dont bother the sugar.. If its a good winter, they dont need the sugar, and I can pull it off early March without them ever having touched it. Works well for making syrup at that time so nothing is wasted.

riverbee · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2014, 10:21:37 pm »

"Yes they do, and I believe they benefit from it as well. I seldom feed with the shim, but always put them on in the Fall. If you do plan to feed dry sugar just as insurance, don't put it on too early or they will just cart it out and dump it on the ground. You have to wait until the weather is cold enough that they won't fly before putting the dry sugar on."

just to add to what robo said, i discovered by accident/trying/learning what he said about the bees liking and benefiting from the extra space whether you have feed on or not. like robo, i seldom feed, but i put the shims on in the fall in case i need to feed. what i have found is if i need to feed, the shim provides the extra space to quickly shove fondant or a patty of some sort on top of the frames on a warmer winter day; easier and quicker than shoving on underneath the inner cover and mashing it down, unless 'pre mashed' to fit.....

what i also discovered or have observed as already said, the bees sure seem to like the little extra cluster space above them even without any feed on, with no detrimental effects. not sure why, but it sure works for me, and has.

Jen · « **Reply #12 on:** November 02, 2014, 01:45:42 am »

Scott, "I made quite a number of these when i cut down all my deeps, but have since gone to the deep inner cover with a 2" rim on one side for winter. I like them so much I am making them for the nucs as well...

On the second pic down, what is the pink block on top there? would that be insulation for the lid?

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2014, 09:08:54 am »

Yep foam insulation board cut to fit. It comes in 4 x 8 sheets. Measure, mark and cut to fit.

brooksbeefarm · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2014, 09:58:46 am »

Maybe they are smart enough to know that heat travels up and with the extra space (the shim) they can pile up over the main cluster to help hold the heat in? Just a thought.

Jack

riverbee · « **Reply #15 on:** November 02, 2014, 10:35:55 pm »

maybe so jack, and a good point. i have no clue or explanation, but the bees sure do like that extra little space for some reason. maybe robo has some incite on this?

robo · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2014, 08:56:07 am »

Quote from: riverbee on November 02, 2014, 10:35:55 pm

maybe so jack, and a good point. i have no clue or explanation, but the bees sure do like that extra little space for some reason. maybe robo has some incite on this?

I know bees will move to the heat. I have placed 7W night lights on the bottom boards of double deep hives and come spring have found the queen laying on the bottom of the frames right above the bulbs.

I too have found that they really like the space above the frames that a shim provides. I can only speculate that they can cluster tighter and move around easier without comb dividing them. With that said, any type of upper ventilation will cause a drastic reduction in the temperature they can maintain in the space. So although putting extra insulation on top helps prevent condensation happening above them, it doesn't help substantially reduce their consumptions of stores if ventilation allows the heat to escape.

Jen · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2014, 08:23:00 pm »

I see Scott and Robo's as complete different designs.

First question: Robo - Why is your shim so thick? looks like maybe 2"

Second question: Scott - Your design looks like a combination shim/inner cover. Do you keep this on all year long?

robo · « **Reply #18 on:** November 03, 2014, 08:50:30 pm »

Quote from: Jen on November 03, 2014, 08:23:00 pm

First question: Robo - Why is your shim so thick? looks like maybe 2"

It is 2" rigid insulation. Just like a well insulated house uses less heating oil, a well insulated beehive uses less honey. Warm bees are happy bees and can easily move to where the honey is when needed.

brooksbeefarm · « **Reply #19 on:** November 03, 2014, 10:18:22 pm »

Robo, that was my thought years ago, but some old time beekeepers told me not to wrap or insulate the hives in our area that it can give the bees a false impression that it's warm enough out side to forage? That they will fly out in the snow or to cold of a temp. to make it back? so i've never wrapped, but have put foam insulation under the top cover and lined hay bales up on there north side for wind break. What has been your experience with this?? Jack