Abstract
Several types of feeder have been used by beekeepers for feeding their colonies with sugar syrup during dearth periods. However, each feeder type has its benefits and drawbacks both for the bees and beekeepers. The effects of different feeder types on honeybee colonies well-being and their conveniences for feeding by the beekeepers were investigated. Time required to feed a colony, amount of feed consumed, number of dead bees during feeding, number of dead bees in/on the feeder when removed, disturbance and convenience based on technicians’ opinion were compared. Accordingly, significantly (<i>p</i><0.000) shortest time (40.45 sec) was obtained for top feeder than bucket (71.25 sec) and frame (137.80 sec) feeders. Likewise, significantly (<i>p</i><0.001) less number of dead bees (2.50) were observed while feeding a colony using top feeder as compared to bucket and frame feeders in which 5.45 and 11.00 dead bees were recorded under hive stand, respectively. Moreover, no dead bee was recorded on the top surface of top feeder compared to frame feeder in which 1.60 dead bees were counted. However, feeder type did not affect the amount of sugar syrup consumed and colony survival during the experiment. Regarding bee technicians’ opinion, top feeder is highly convenient to feed colonies with a minimum colony disturbance and reaction. Thus, the current results indicate that feeding colonies using top feeder is less time consuming, inflicts less damage to the bees, and more convenient feeding method for the beekeeper.
Highlights
Beekeeping in Ethiopia traditionally has been practiced following the flowering events which provide sufficient quantities of nectar and pollen to stimulate colonies build up and maintain optimum colony populations
Crosstabs descriptive procedure was employed to determine if feeder type affects the convenience of honeybee colony feeding and Pearson’s chi-square was used to test the relationship between the convenience to feed and feeder types
At Holeta, comparison among feeder types confirmed that significantly longest time was recorded for frame feeder, followed by bucket feeder, and the shortest time was for the top feeder (F = 19.62, df = (2,27), p
Summary
Beekeeping in Ethiopia traditionally has been practiced following the flowering events which provide sufficient quantities of nectar and pollen to stimulate colonies build up and maintain optimum colony populations. Sugar syrup feeding is popular and the most effective during dearth periods to maintain optimum colony population [4] that ensures early colony build up to produce surplus honey during honey flow season [5, 6]. To this end, different types of feeders and feeding methods have been invented, tested and used for feeding honeybee colonies of different races with varying behaviors. The primary choice of feeder type is the primary management decision to be made by the majority of beekeepers
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