Hive Doctor 10-Frame Top Feeder - 12 Litres

Big-Capacity Drown-Proof Feeder for 10-Frame Hives

When your bees need to be fed seriously, establishing a new colony from a package, drawing out a full set of fresh foundation, fattening up for winter, or supporting through a long nectar dearth, you need a feeder with genuine capacity. The Hive Doctor 10-Frame Top Feeder holds a substantial 12 litres of syrup, enough to support a full-strength 10-frame colony for days or weeks without daily refills, and big enough to handle the heavy-feeding demands of nuc establishment and autumn build-up.

Built specifically for the traditional 10-frame Langstroth standard, this feeder combines high capacity with thoughtful Hive Doctor engineering: drowning-proof bee-saver stations, wet and dry feed compatibility, integrated fill indicators, and tough UV-stable polypropylene. Fully assembled out of the box and ready to use straight away.

Why 12 Litres Is the Right Capacity

A full-strength 10-frame colony can consume 2 to 3 litres of syrup per day during heavy feeding, and 4 to 6 litres per week during moderate build-up. The 12-litre capacity means you can fill the feeder once a week or less during most feeding scenarios, dramatically reducing the time and disturbance involved in keeping your colony fed.

Why Top Feeding Is the Professional Standard

Refilling is relaxed, lift the lid, pour in syrup, replace the lid, walk away. No bees encountered, no brood disturbed, no full inspection required. Working through multiple hives in succession is dramatically faster than entrance feeders or in-hive frame feeders, and refills can often be done with minimal PPE.

When Will I Need to Feed My Bees?

Common scenarios include establishing new package bees, supporting new nucs and splits, accelerating comb-drawing (bees consume 8 to 9 grams of honey per gram of wax produced), autumn fattening with thick 2:1 syrup, nectar dearths, and supporting weak or recovering colonies.

How Do the Bee-Saver Stations Work?

The feeder uses 5 bee-saver stations, two on each end and one in the centre, so bees can always access syrup regardless of how level the hive sits. Locking mechanisms prevent gaps where bees could slip through, keeping drowning casualties essentially at zero.

Can It Feed Both Liquid and Dry Sugar?

Yes. For syrup, fill with 1:1 for spring and summer build-up or 2:1 for autumn and winter prep. For dry feeding, remove the white caps from the bee-saver stations and pour granulated sugar directly in, useful in cooler weather when syrup might ferment.

Will the Bees Need Warm Syrup?

No. Sitting directly above the brood box, the feeder benefits from rising hive warmth, bees maintain roughly 33 to 35°C inside the hive, gently warming the syrup above. Fill at room temperature and let the colony's own metabolism do the rest.

How Sturdy Is the Construction?

The UV-stable polypropylene won't become brittle or fade in direct sunlight, and ribbed walls resist flexing, leaking, or warping under the weight of a full 12 litres (roughly 15kg). The integrated rim removes the need for a separate wooden rim, and the unit arrives fully assembled.

A Quick Note on Lid Compatibility

If using migratory lids, take extra care during wet weather, as water can enter at the join. The feeder works best with lid styles that fully cover the joint between the top box and feeder.

Specifications

• Type: Top feeder for Langstroth Full Depth hives
• Capacity: 12 litres of syrup
• Hive size: 10-frame Langstroth Full Depth
• Material: UV-stable, food-grade polypropylene
• Feeding stations: 5 bee-saver stations
• Feed types: Sugar syrup and dry sugar compatible
• Assembly: Fully assembled out of the box

How much syrup does this feeder hold?

12 litres, enough to support a full-strength 10-frame colony for days or weeks without needing daily refills.

Does this fit 8-frame hives?

No, this feeder is sized for standard 10-frame Langstroth Full Depth hives. An 8-frame Hive Doctor (9.5L) version is available separately.

Can bees drown in this feeder?

It's designed to prevent that. Five locking bee-saver stations positioned around the feeder keep drowning casualties essentially at zero.

Can I feed dry sugar instead of syrup?

Yes, remove the white caps from the bee-saver stations and pour granulated sugar directly in, useful in cooler weather when syrup might ferment.

Do I need to warm the syrup before filling?

No, rising warmth from the brood box below naturally warms the syrup. Fill at room temperature and let the colony do the rest.

What syrup ratio should I use?

Use 1:1 syrup for spring and summer build-up, or 2:1 thick syrup for autumn and winter feeding to help build stores.

Does the feeder come assembled?

Yes, it arrives fully assembled and ready to place directly on your hive and fill.

How often do I need to refill the feeder?

Typically once a week or less during most feeding scenarios, thanks to the 12 litre capacity.

Is this feeder durable for outdoor use?

Yes, it's made from UV-stable, food-grade polypropylene with reinforced ribbed walls that resist flexing, leaking, or warping under a full load.

Does lid style matter with this feeder?

Yes, migratory lids need extra care in wet weather since water can enter at the join. Lids that fully cover the joint work best.