I've found open feeding works quite well in cases where virtually
everything needs fed. Not an ideal situation, but it happens.
I use 5 gallon buckets, mix up the syrup and float about 4 inches of
straw on top (loosely packed so it will drop in the bucket when the
syrup level drops).
Don't place them next to your hives... 100+ feet away should work. More
may be better but I don't always have the luxury.
Make sure you have enough surface area for the number of hives you
have... 1 bucket for 20 hives would cause a problem of fighting at the
bucket. I'd use 1 bucket for every 2-3 hives. In this type of
situation you need that volume of syrup anyways. It works best on days
near or above 70 degrees and they will typically drain the buckets in
one day. If it gets too cool they will not take it quickly and there
will be more deaths at the buckets.
-Tim
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