Dry Pollen Feeder (Cheap & Simple)

Cheap and effective dry pollen sub feeder. I actually prefer this over the diy PVC feeders because it uses equipment I already have.

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[DuckRiverHoney]

I got this question a lot...does this feeder promote robbing by teaching the bees to rob hives? I don't think so. The feeder is about 300 yards from my hives, so no hives are near it to get the bees confused. Secondly, our robbing season is August. I feed pollen sub in early spring. All these bees will be dead before robbing season. Thirdly, bees rob...it's a natural tendency. The best prevention against robbing is strong hives with defensible entrance sizes.

[MarkParcher]

Thank you! This was a great and simple idea. I was ready to head to the hardware store to buy some 4" pipe -- but not now. I had all the extra woodenware that I needed and already set it up. Anxious to see how soon the bees will find it.

[thehiveandthehoneybee]

Vino Farm already did that years ago he had meese in it but good your doin it to!!!

[roswithasparks]

I made this pollen feeder for my bees and they love it.

[castlegroundsapiary]

I’d been brainstorming on how I was going to put out pollen without spending money. Thanks!

[NaturesImageFarmGregBurns]

Thanks for stopping by our booth at the Hive Life Conference to say hey! Sorry we didn’t get more time to chat, it was crazy 😜 . Keep up the good work!

[KajunHomestead]

great idea, i use 2 gal buckets turned on there side but you have to but them under a cover to keep dry, and yes those blue feeders or nice but very pricey, thanks for sharing.

[bobbinnie]

I like it. I'm going to try it, thanks.

[JustBePrePared]

Thanks for the quick tip. I’ll be trying that out. I’m ready for this cold weather to move out so the girls can get to the pollen again.

[Chris-ftkf]

Great idea, Thank you! I'm going to try it too. Wonder if you even need the jars? I'll try a jar and a paper plate next to it and see how they empty each.
I'm also going to look for a flour sifter at the goodwill... they don't seem to like the chunks of pollen sub... wern't willing to break them down.
If that's mouse poop in there, 1/2" hardware cloth across the entrance should help keep the critters out.

[LawsonsCreekApiary]

Hey Nathan, good video and I appreciate the information!

[Peter_Gunn]

Great tip. I been using the pictures deal too and it's not the best method for sure. The only thing I question feeding them in a hive is are you conditioning them to rob more. Idk just food for thought. Thanks for sharing.

[michaelellison]

You had me at cheap 😊. Great tip, thanks!

[desmondsimmons]

I have done that before just putting it in a empty box, but like the ideal of using jars to keep the pollen from geting damp.

[MinnesotaBeekeeper]

Nice. I like the out or the rain concept. We have used old galvanized chick feeders. Love those flea market finds. A fun watch is Ian Steppler's mass feeding with stacked pallets video. a bee cloud frenzy hoot.

[michaelfike]

Though about something similar. I been using the pvc pipe and it doesn't keep it completely dry. Good idea. ❤🐝

[russellkoopman]

Great idea Nathan. I could never figure out why the blue feeders were so expensive, shouldn't cost more than $5 to make.
I use the plastic Kitty Litter pails and cut two holes on the side. The top flips up, so easy to fill. Of course I only put enough in for one to two days at a time.

[jhulin]

Effective, easy, and cheap...great idea, Nathan! Thanks for sharing! Agree the "big blue" is expensive and, IMO, overpriced. Just add this to the list of ideas you already gave us for the lowly hive box besides brood and honey...modular swarm traps and now pollen feeder.

[lagrangebees]

Unfortunately i bought one of those blue feeders when i first started... BUT i will not be buying more thanks to you :D wonderful idea, inexpensive and works just as well.

[capebee]

There has been some new research that found that bees sometimes store dry pollen sub but don't store the pollen sub when used in a patty
The stored artificial pollen sub can the have a negative effect on the bees when they consume the stored pollen sub
If I remember correctly, it was Jamie Ellis who mentioned it